Second Paris school closes after new coronavirus cases
France's schools only fully reopened on June 22nd, but in the first week of the full return two Paris schools have closed after staff and a pupil tested positive for Covid-19.
On Tuesday a primary school in the 12th arrondissement closed after a pupil and a teacher tested positive for Covid-19.
Then on Wednesday morning a primary school in the central 4th arrondissement closed after a teacher tested positive for the virus.
All pupils and teachers at the school must now self-isolate for 14 days, and get a test done.
French schools break up for the summer holidays on July 4th, so neither school will now reopen before September.
However authorities are keen to stress that neither school is the centre of a cluster, and the closures are purely precautionary.
Ariel Weil, mayor of the 4th arrondissement, said: "There is no cluster, it's a precautionary measure taken by the ARS (the regional health agency).
"But when you think of all the work that has been done with the school principals and the teachers, with the application of such a tough health protocol, meticulous cleaning of the premises by a private company, so that the school can finally reopen at 100 percent capacity on Monday... It's heartbreaking for all of us."
French schools reopened on a limited basis on May 11th, with strict rules on class sizes which meant that less than half of pupils returned.
The number of classes reopening gradually increased and then from June 22nd the French government lowered the minimum amount of space needed per pupil and scrapped the maximum class size limit.
Since Monday school has again been compulsory for all pupils, although the education minister says that parents in high-risk groups who choose to keep their children at home will not be fined.
Comments
See Also
On Tuesday a primary school in the 12th arrondissement closed after a pupil and a teacher tested positive for Covid-19.
Then on Wednesday morning a primary school in the central 4th arrondissement closed after a teacher tested positive for the virus.
All pupils and teachers at the school must now self-isolate for 14 days, and get a test done.
French schools break up for the summer holidays on July 4th, so neither school will now reopen before September.
However authorities are keen to stress that neither school is the centre of a cluster, and the closures are purely precautionary.
Ariel Weil, mayor of the 4th arrondissement, said: "There is no cluster, it's a precautionary measure taken by the ARS (the regional health agency).
"But when you think of all the work that has been done with the school principals and the teachers, with the application of such a tough health protocol, meticulous cleaning of the premises by a private company, so that the school can finally reopen at 100 percent capacity on Monday... It's heartbreaking for all of us."
French schools reopened on a limited basis on May 11th, with strict rules on class sizes which meant that less than half of pupils returned.
The number of classes reopening gradually increased and then from June 22nd the French government lowered the minimum amount of space needed per pupil and scrapped the maximum class size limit.
Since Monday school has again been compulsory for all pupils, although the education minister says that parents in high-risk groups who choose to keep their children at home will not be fined.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.