Kindergartens and primary schools reopen in Greece

Kindergartens, primary schools and special education schools reopened on Monday, despite Greece extending lockdown measures until January 18.

Schools reopened with precautions:

• Students and teachers are required to wear masks indoors and outdoors (masks are optional for kindergarten pupils)
• Classrooms must have adequate ventilation
• Staggered lunch times
• More hand hygiene consumables
• Staggered school times to help with social distancing

Grades 7-12 resumed their lessons remotely on Friday.

Mobile units of the National Organization for Public Health (EODY) will be conducting random coronavirus testing at schools.

Education Minister Niki Kerameus and her deputy Zeta Makri visited primary schools in the northwestern Athens suburbs of Metamorfosi and Nea Chalkidona on Monday.

"After two unprecedented months in which teachers, education executives, students and parents have put great efforts to continue the education process with technology help, our kindergartens and elementary schools have once again opened their gates to welcome our young students," Kerameus posted on social media.

"Our goal was and remains twofold: protecting public and individual health and continuing the educational process. We will continue, with the valuable help of experts, the effort to operate all educational institutions. A big thank you to our teachers, executives, students, parents and local government for exemplary observance of the measures and adaptability of all in the exceptional circumstances we experience. With careful steps, we will all overcome this test together!"

*Read More: Kindergarten teacher transforms school in Evros