The Minister pointed out that the first semester of the school year is sound proof that schools can work onsite.
“Of course, we still have a variety of uncertainties with the Omicron. We have very well demonstrated that schools can work in person. (..) At the moment, with additional testing also in place, we really see that we can continue [on-site learning],” Muižniece said.
In the context of epidemiological safety measures in the country, schools remain the last to be closed when the incidence deteriorates.
Muižniece also stressed the importance of testing pupils in ensuring the continuity of the on-site learning process. She said that the Covid-19 tests currently scheduled for school testing have been delivered for the whole month of January and that the next round of tests is currently being organized.
“There are no problems with this. Of course, the process that pupils perform tests at home twice a week makes it easier for educational institutions,” Muižniece said.
The Disease Prevention and Control Center has also previously acknowledged that regular testing of pupils and employees has allowed large outbreaks of Covid-19 in educational establishments to be avoided.