The use of masks in schools will be optional, the Minister of Education announces

Education Minister Rosendo Serna announced that this Thursday the Council of Ministers approved the use of masks in basic education, students are no longer compulsory but elective in the classrooms of all schools in Peru.

In communication with Rotary of the Air – Night Edition from RPP News, said that the decision was taken unanimously and will come into force after the provision is officially published in the newspaper Peruvian manSerna specified that the resolution would be published this Friday, 26 August.

“It has been decided that the use will be optional, children and parents who deem it necessary will continue to use it,” he said.

Minister Serna recalled that the optional use face mask It has already been used outdoors, for example, in the courtyards of educational centers; and now this option is extended to classrooms during classes.

“We are taking a big step there to return to normal life and allow children to have a more adequate situation in their classrooms, with easy communication and more socialization,” said the head of Minedu.

Serna indicated that the Council of Ministers also agreed to remain committed to campaigns so that minors can receive second and third doses of the vaccine against COVID-19age group where there is a large single-dose vaccinated gap.

Mandatory mask for teachers

Minister Cerna said that in the case of teachers, the Cabinet of Ministers has allowed them to continue using masks mandatory during their teaching work as they are a group more vulnerable to infection despite a higher vaccination rate.

“The parameter (of people) between the ages of 5 and 18 is when the disease has done the least damage, where the level of infection is not felt,” he said.

Regarding schoolchildren, he claimed that it had been shown “that all infections were in the majority when they were out of school. At school, they are more disciplined, keep order,” he said.

The announcement by the head of the education department comes after public outrage over statements by Health Minister Jorge López that it is not yet time to take off the masks used by minors in schools.

Hours earlier, Lopez had told the press that 100% of teachers and at least 80% of underage students needed to be vaccinated. He also believes the COVID-19 positivity rate should drop to 5% to consider removing masks, given that the rate is currently 11.98% as the country emerges from the fourth wave of infections.

The Minister of Health indicated that 70% of schoolchildren have received the first dose of the vaccine so far and 55% have received the second dose, so he urged parents to complete their children’s immunization schedule.

More than 500 thousand children still do not receive a second dose

Director of Immunization at the Ministry of Health (Minsa), Maria Elena Martinez, warned last Wednesday that Peru has gap from 500 thousand children who have not yet received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

In an interview with La Rotativa del Aire RPP News, The official explained that an average of 2.5 million children in her sector have been immunized with the second dose so far; however, he stressed that vaccination half a million minors.

“The country managed to vaccinate about 3 million children with the first doses. [de la vacuna contra la COVID-19]among children aged 5 to 11 years. If we have about 2.5 million in the second dose, then there we have a gap of about 500 thousand children who did not receive the second dose, ”he warned.

Martinez explained that many parents mistakenly believe that it is enough for adults in the family unit to be properly vaccinated against coronavirus and that children are less susceptible to clinical symptoms of the disease.

“One of the reasons why parents mention reluctance vaccinate to their children, because it is enough that the parents are vaccinated and that the children are not exposed to this disease,” he explained.

He pointed out that, despite the provision of training in schools, most of the tutors return without signing the consent. vaccination for students. “We are asking schools to coordinate with parents and teachers in order to convey to them the importance of vaccinationbut they have to give us the consent that comes [sin] signature,” he said.