ATHENS – After two school years of masks and health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Greek students return to class Sept. 12 with the option of wearing the face protection or not.

The use of protective masks (simple surgical or fabric masks with appropriate specifications) is optional for pupils in all classes, teachers and other staff, as well as for visitors to schools, said Kathimerini.

But unvaccinated teachers who don’t have COVID must still show the results of laboratory diagnostic testing (rapid tests or PCR tests) at private diagnostic centers, private clinics, pharmacies or a private physician at their own expense.

The compulsory laboratory tests are required once per week, before each Tuesday up to 48 hours before school attendance although the New Democracy government isn’t requiring vaccinations for anyone.

If a teacher’s test shows no infection a certificate will be issued which the teacher must present to the school to attend classes. If it’s positive and shows COVID, isolation protocols of the National Public Health Organization (EODY) will be followed, the report said.

If pupils have symptoms outside school, they must remain at home. If students have symptoms at school, the family must be contacted and the child picked up.

Until the pupil is collected they must be isolated in a pre-designated well-ventilated area, with supervision, away from other children to prevent further spreading of the Coronavirus that is still making people ill, putting them in hospitals and killing them.