Press Releases

Following a decision by the Council of Ministers dated 15 February 2022, regarding the implementation of the “test to stay” measure in the Education Service, the Minister of Health held meetings with educational organizations to record suggestions regarding the finalization of the procedure to be followed for the implementation of the measure. The implementation of the “test to stay” measure in the Primary and Secondary Education has been proven successful, as it enables thousands of children to attend classes with physical presence every day.

Taking into consideration the aforementioned, as well as the fact that schools must remain safe and in operation, the Council of Ministers has decided to initiate the implementation of the “test to stay” measure to the educational staff in the public and private school sector, as of 14 March 2022, based on the procedure already followed by students.

• Specifically, teachers in Primary and Secondary Education, in the public as well as the private sector, who are close contacts of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and based on the health protocol are required to self-isolate, will be able to visit predefined locations announced by the Ministry of Health to conduct a rapid antigen test on a daily basis, for a period of 7 consecutive days after close contact with the positive case. The test will be provided free of charge and the days of self-isolation of the educational staff who will opt out of the measure will count as regular leave of absence.

Further information regarding the procedure will be announced in the coming days.

(AP/EK)