ATHENS – They're not being required to be vaccinated but teachers in Greece's schools that open Sept. 13 must show proof of being inoculated, have a negative molecular test twice weekly or that they've recovered from the Coronavirus.

The Education Ministry set the rules that still exempts teachers – tourism workers too – from having to be fully vaccinated even though cases are rising, holding back the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students will face the same requirements although only those over 12 can be vaccinated so far, but the cost of molecular tests likely a burden for many families, especially those with more than one child in school.

The rules will also apply to higher education professors and students while health workers who aren't vaccinated will start being suspended without pay as of Sept. 1, the only ones in the public sector so far.

Students are returning to class after a year of mostly remote learning that saw them confined to being taught online at home, but now the government saying it's safe for them to be in school but that health measures still apply, including mask wearing.