Central Government agrees a Declaration on coordinated public health actions to combat COVID-19 in education centres with regional governments

This agreement allows progress to continue in providing public authorities with a common framework and in building a model of co-governance that generates confidence in the education community.

The meeting was held by video-conference and involved the participation of the Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Isabel Celaá; the Minister for Health, Salvador Illa; and the Minister for Territorial Policy and Public Function, Carolina Darias; together with the regional health and education councillors.

Firstly, Central Government and the regional governments agreed that, on a general basis, teaching activities will take place in the classroom for all levels and at all stages of the education system, prioritising this for younger pupils, at least until the second year of compulsory secondary education.

The document reiterates the need to resume, "on a priority basis", classroom education activities, adopting to that end a series of measures on prevention, hygiene and health promotion that guarantee a safe return to the classroom.

Pool Moncloa / José María CuadradoEducation centres will remain open during the whole school year, guaranteeing dining room services, and educational support for children with special needs and socially vulnerable families, provided that the epidemiological situation so allows.

Staff that work at education centres will reduce their time in such centres to that which is absolutely essential, to which end remote teaching will be promoted in all of those non-teaching activities that so allow.

In addition, as contained in the document entitled Measures on Prevention Hygiene and the Promotion of Health in Combatting COVID-19 for Education Centres in the Academic Year 2020-2021, drawn up by the Ministries of Health and of Education in June, all centres must designate someone responsible for aspects related to COVID-19.

Preventive measures

In general, social distancing of at least 1.5 metres must be maintained. In nursery education and in the first cycle of primary education, students will be organised into bubble groups so that boys and girls can socialise and play together. In these cases, the criteria on social distancing will not be applied.

In addition, the Declaration on coordinated actions establishes the compulsory use of face masks as from 6 years of age, regardless of social distancing.

Hygiene measures

Hands must be frequently and thoroughly washed, at least five times a day. Furthermore, pupils will receive health education. The cleaning of education centres will be stepped up, particularly in bathrooms and those areas frequented the most. In addition, the facilities will be frequently ventilated, for at least 10-15 minutes.

Dining rooms must guarantee social distancing of at least 1.5 metres, except in the case of members of the same bubble group. Pupils will be allocated a fixed placing for the whole year.

Face masks will be compulsory on school buses as from 6 years of age and are advisable for those boys and girls aged from 3 to 5.

In addition, the body temperature will be taken of all pupils and staff before the start of each school day. In the event that the temperature is taken at the education centre, the centre will decide on the manner to carry this out avoiding a build-up of pupils and ensuring that social distancing is maintained.

Those people with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 must not attend the education centres, whether pupils, teachers or other staff.

Handling of cases

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health has presented the regional governments, for their agreement, within the framework of the Public Health Committee of the Inter-territorial Council of the National Health System, with a "Guide on actions in the event of the appearance of cases of COVID-19 in education centres".

This is a technical document that will serve as the guide for when to take preventive and control measures, to be carried out by the public health units of the regional governments, should this prove necessary.

The guide establishes as the main pillar of action avoiding those people who are symptomatic attending education centres; early isolation and referral to the health system of those people with symptoms; maintaining teaching activities while stepping up precautions until such time as the results of diagnostic tests are received; and placing close contacts in quarantine.

Flu vaccine

Given the potential co-existence during the academic year 2020-2021 of the circulation of the flu and COVID-19 viruses, Central Government and the regional governments have agreed on new goals with the aim of protecting the most vulnerable: achieving least 75% coverage for healthcare workers and those over the age of 65; and 60% for pregnant women and people with underlying conditions that increase risk.

The vaccination campaign will be carried out in a coordinated fashion in all autonomous regions and cities, and will begin in the first fortnight of October.

Non official translation