Hundreds of thousands of first- to fourth-graders returned to schools throughout Israel on Sunday, as a second stage of the countrys exit strategy from a nationwide coronavirus lockdown took effect.
Children below the age of 6 returned to kindergartens throughout Israel two weeks ago, as part of the exit strategys first stage.
Sunday is the start of the working and school week in Israel.
With daily Covid-19 infections hitting local all-time records up until late September, Israel on September 18 imposed a second nationwide lockdown. From early October, numbers have been dropping.
The Health Ministry reported on Sunday that Israel recorded 218 new infections the previous day, down from over 9,000 infections on September 30.
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 Israels phased easing of its second lockdown, high-street shops are scheduled to open only as of Sunday next week provided that numbers continue to drop.
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.
Source: NAN News