To ensure students are able to return to schools normally for the 2021/2022 academic year, they will need to have a valid Covid-19 vaccination/recovery certificate or negative Covid-19 test result, as decided by Latvian Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday, 10 August.
That’s Latvia. Just remind you that in Lithuania protesters asks to cancel Opportunity Passport and government to resign and saying “F**k National Certificate”.
Amendments proposed for Cabinet of Ministers epidemiological safety precautions by the Ministry of Education and Science were developed to make Covid-19 testing a requirement for school-going in the 2021/2022.
If students do not undergo testing, he or she will not be able to start or continue going to school normally.
Considering the compulsory nature of education and parents’ responsibility, 1st – 6th grade education will continue at home. Covid-19 testing will not be performed for students that have a valid vaccination/recovery certificate.
It will be necessary to present a digital or printed certificate to an education institution’s authority.
Testing is currently performed in accordance to the algorithm developed by the Ministry of Health.
It is planned for testing to be performed regularly. Currently, however, the government has yet to agree on the frequency of tests. This topic will be discussed in more detail next week.
The Minister of Education and Science Anita Muižniece reported at the meeting of the government that work is underway to coordinate activities with the Ministry of Health. According to the minister, the amendments proposed by the Ministry of Education and Science represent a first step or «the entry ticket».
According to the minister, testing will take place at schools. Children will need to come to schools between 23rd and 30th August to undergo saliva tests.
Minister of Finance Jānis Reirs said the state will pay for school testing. The planned costs are close to the budget amount allocated to increase teachers’ wages last year. He adds all the people who voice anti-vaccination sentiments basically urge the state to spend money on nothing.
The politician says testing may cost EUR 25 million to EUR 30 million for the upcoming academic year. «An enormous amount for nothing,» said Reirs.
Minister of Health Daniels Pavļuts promised the ministry will try to find an appropriate testing algorithm that would help save budget money.
After the government meeting, Muižniece told journalists that Covid-19 testing of students may cost the state budget about EUR 12 million by the end of the year. At the same time, the minister said costs may yet drop if students who have reached the age of 12 years become vaccinated more actively.
«It is highly important to us to make the school environment as safe as possible,» added the politician, adding that testing may be performed every week.
Pavļuts explained that the frequency of tests – weekly – is the term agreed upon by epidemiologists, specialists and the Ministry of Education and Science. The minister also added that it would be important to keep in mind that «vaccinated children will not have to undergo testing».
Education institutions will need to appoint a person responsible to check information related to Covid-19 vaccination certificates.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.