The Ministry of Health clarifies that from today, February 1, 2022, the differentiation of the test to stay process for students who are close contacts and have completed their immunization schedule or hold a certificate of infection and the 90-day period has not expired is effective.
This differentiation applies to those students who are close contacts of a confirmed positive case diagnosed on or after February 1, 2022.
Specifically:
*** What applies to close contacts who have completed their vaccination schedule or hold a certificate of infection and the 90-day period has not elapsed?
- Under the protocol they are not required to self-limit and on days 3 and 5 of contact, they undergo a Rapid test, and there is a recommendation for a PCR or Rapid test on day 7.
- The rapid test on days 3 and 5 may be carried out either through sampling units attending schools or through predetermined sampling points referred by the Ministry of Health.
*** What about close contacts who have no history of vaccination, or have received at least one dose of vaccine, or have become ill and the 90-day period has elapsed?
- They will have the option of either being restricted for 10 days as per the protocol and released on day 7 after a Rapid test or PCR laboratory test, or present themselves at the designated sites for a Rapid test every day for a period of 7 consecutive days after contact (excluding holidays and weekends).
- Students participating in the "testto stay", are not required to attend the designated sampling points referred to them by the Ministry of Health for a rapid antigen detection test (Rapid test stay) on the 3rd and 5th day after the contact date.
[*]This measure applies exceptionally only to the opening hours of schools (including single day schools and optional day schools) and after the withdrawal of close contacts from schools, they will be subject to self-limitation as they will continue to be considered close contacts and will not be able to take part in other evening activities (such as tutorials, sports, etc.).a)
[*]Students should avoid using public transport and travel to school in a private vehicle.
[*]Absence of students from class during the laboratory testing procedure will be excused.
[*]It is clarified that if a person is tested in the afternoon and found positive, his/her school contacts will be able to make use of the test to stay measure.[BR][*]Elementary and middle school students residing in remote or mountainous communities will continue to be served by visiting school sampling sites.
[*]In all cases, parents/guardians are responsible for accompanying and supervising children attending sampling centres located at schools.
:
- Elementary school students in private and public schools are required to submit a negative Rapid test twice a week.
- Secondary school students in private and public schools are required to submit a negative Rapid test of 72 hours.
It is clarified that students who have completed their vaccination programme (two doses) or have a certificate of sickness valid for 90 days are exempt from the above obligation.
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