The cabinet ministers decided tonight (Thursday) not to bring forward the opening of the education system, meaning that seventh- through tenth-grade students will not return to schools next week but only later, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s exit plan.
The decision was made in light of the relatively wide opening of the economy that could lead to an increase in morbidity and in the face of concerns regarding the impact of the British mutation and increased infection on unvaccinated children and youth.
Due to the concerns, it was decided at this stage to adopt a cautious approach and adhere as stated to the exit plan of the Ministry of Health. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to find out why the UK decided to close by April. However, it is possible that a decision on early return to school will be made later in the Corona Cabinet, whose whereabouts are unknown.
Liron named them, a mother of two, in a demonstration against the non-opening of education. Photo: Avshalom Shashoni
As you may recall, about a week ago, the education outline approved by the Corona Cabinet came into force, as part of which kindergartens and first-fourth grades were opened in green and yellow cities. The education system will also be opened in orange cities with a traffic light score below 6.5 and with at least 70% of those vaccinated in a second dose among populations aged 50 and over.
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Yesterday, the Ministry of Health updated the traffic light plan for the purpose of opening the education systems in the various authorities, starting this coming Sunday, February 21st. The change is being made in light of the trend of improvement in corona virus morbidity across the country, which is affecting progress in local authority traffic light scores.
According to the outline approved by the government, the return on Sunday will include, in addition to kindergartens and grades 1-4, also grades 5-6 and 11-12 – and all of these in green and yellow localities as well as in “bright orange” localities. According to estimates, on March 9, classes will be resumed in grades 7-10 in green and yellow cities + in borderline orange cities with more than 70% vaccinated.