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- Ελληνικά
*By Georgia Michael
An indication of a negative rapid test result is now considered necessary for admission of children aged 4 and older to kindergartens and preschools, which are required to conduct rapid antigen detection tests once a week.
Although the measure, which has brought reactions from parents, came into effect, today is not considered indicative due to ... delay on the part of the Ministry of Health, as reported by the Association of Private Kindergartens. Therefore, all children without exception were in the classrooms today even if they did not submit to a test.
The President of the Association of Private Kindergartens Lavra Irakleous, speaking to the Cyprus Times, said that in her own school there were very few children who did not show up and there were also children who did not submit to a test.
The President of the Association of Private Kindergartens Lavra Irakleous, speaking to the Cyprus Times, said that in her school there were very few children who did not show up and there were also children who did not submit to a test. "The Health Ministry informed us on Saturday that each school unit can set a specific day to check if children have their rapid test, as well as that vaccinated children and children who have been sick in the last three months are exempt. So today cannot be considered indicative as some children came to school today without having their rapid test but that does not mean that they will not have it tomorrow or in the following days. We don't know how many of these parents are not receptive. We will have a more complete picture at the end of the week."
The measure, he added, will be in place until March 14 and this means that children will undergo just three rapid tests. "Parents need to realise this. It is not a large number. Then we will evaluate the measure and if we see that it is not working then it will probably be changed either by our own recommendations or even by the experts," she said.
Asked to comment on what will happen if some children who do not produce their rapid test, she replied that this may happen when a specific day is fixed and it becomes apparent that parents are refusing.
"In such cases we have to keep in mind that it's not the little kids' fault. You can't have a baby come to the bar and tell them I can't admit you to school because your parents didn't test you. We're just trying to make parents aware and let them know that it's their legal obligation. To avoid misunderstandings or any other legal ramifications in testing cases we invite and ask parents to enter into this process out of respect for other children. Everyone has their own way of thinking but keep the best interests of the children in mind," he said.
Parents insist on "test to stay" but... with self
For their part, organised parents continue to stress their opposition to the measure in question, asking the Ministry to proceed with its replacement by including the self test.
"The picture varies. In some kindergartens everything is running smoothly, in others there are reactions from parents while others remain closed due to outbreaks. With this measure, the protocol does not change in the sense that when a case is detected, the classroom is closed," said President of the Pancyprian Confederation of Parents' and Guardians' Associations of Public and Community Kindergartens, Ioannis Ioannou.
Asked whether parents would be satisfied with the "test to stay" measure applied in primary and secondary education, he replied that only if this was done with conditions.
Asked whether parents would be satisfied with the "test to stay" measure applied in primary and secondary education, he replied that only if it was done with conditions. "We accept the measure but not by doing rapid test as the reactions will be the same. Imagine 25 parents queuing up to wait for their children to be tested and they refuse. Trying to convince them will see delays and inconvenience. We accept 'test to stay' on a proper basis, i.e. doing self test at home," he noted.
To get a good picture, he said he asked to be given details of the day and noted that despite their disagreement and reactions, the Ministry of Education has not contacted them for consultation.
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