Hundreds of thousands of first – to fourth-grade students returned to schools throughout Israel on Sunday, as the country’s second stage of exit from a nationwide coronavirus lockdown took effect.
It was reported that Children below the age of 6 returned to kindergartens throughout Israel two weeks ago, as part of the exit strategy’s first stage.
Sunday is the start of the working and school week in Israel.
Recall that with daily Covid-19 infections hitting local all-time records up until late September, Israel had on September 18 imposed a second nationwide lockdown. the tide has since changed From early October, as numbers have been dropping albeit inconsistently.
The Health Ministry reported on Sunday that Israel recorded 218 new infections on saturday, down from over 9,000 infections on September 30.
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However, fewer people get tested on Saturdays compared to other days of the week, and the preceding six days saw an average of 737 daily infections.
As part of Israel’s phased easing of its second lockdown, high-street shops are scheduled to open only as from Sunday next week – On the condition that numbers continue to drop authorities have said.
The first- to fourth-graders who returned to schools on Sunday will be learning for now in turns in smaller groups called ‘capsules,’ to ensure fewer pupils present in classrooms at any one time.
‘I think that the solution we gave is a good temporary solution,’ Education Minister Yoav Gallant said, rejecting fierce criticism by school principals and many others that Israel is neglecting the education of an entire ‘coronavirus generation.’
In total, 2,541 people in Israel have died with Covid-19 with 314,000 infections as the country continues to battle the corona Virus Pandemic which broke out in the country earlier this year.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
