As of Monday, the validity period for PCR and antigen tests is reduced from 72 hours to 24 hours. In schools, the new health protocol takes effect on November 29 with a relaxation of measures to reduce class closures.
- From now on, to enter the health pass, the tests are only valid for 24 hours from the collection.
- All those who are contact cases of people infected with the Omicron variant will be forced into 7 days of isolation, whether or not they are vaccinated.
- In kindergarten and primary school, when a student contracts the virus, all their classmates will have to be tested and a class will close if 3 cases occur over a period of 7 days.
While the epidemic continues to progress on the territory and the Omicron variant worries the world, new health measures come into force this Monday, November 29. Announced last Thursday by the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, the new validity period for PCR and antigen tests, lowered from 72 hours to 24 hours, takes effect this Monday. At school, the conditions for closing classes are also lightened from today.
With Omicron, mandatory isolation even for vaccinated people
“The rebound of the epidemic pushes us to take action on testing”, began by justifying Olivier Véran during his press conference on Thursday, November 25. From now on, to enter the health pass, the tests are only valid for 24 hours from the collection. “A logical decision when you see how much the virus is circulating at the moment. In this way, they will be more reliable”, added the Minister of Health. For PCR tests, the result of which can sometimes take 24 hours, their validity period becomes very short.
In addition to this rule, there is also an evolution of isolation measures in the face of the arrival of the Omicron variant. The French health authorities announced on Saturday November 27 that all those who are contact cases of people infected with this variant of the coronavirus will be forced into isolation, whether or not they are vaccinated. A quarantine of 7 days must be respected. Until then, this obligation to isolate oneself only concerned unvaccinated or immunocompromised contact cases.
Slow down the closing of classes
This Monday also marks the implementation of new rules in nursery and primary school. To slow down the closure of classes, it will no longer be imposed on the slightest positive case. In recent weeks, a wave of closures has been sweeping the country and as of Friday nearly 9,000 classes were closed.
Now, when a student contracts the virus, all classmates will be required to get tested and a class will close if 3 cases occur in a 7-day period. These tests will be either PCR tests in the laboratory or antigen tests in the pharmacy. Those who refuse to submit to it will be required to isolate themselves. The Ministry of National Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, recommends carrying out a second test one week after a negative result but does not impose it.
Self-tests for 6th graders
For students of 6th who do not yet have access to vaccination, two self-tests per week will be delivered to them. “We are going to give a box of ten self-tests valid for five weeks to 6th graders (…) National education will provide these ten self-tests which are to be carried out as a family”, indicated Jean-Michel Blanquer. The latter clarified that there is no obligation to perform them twice a week.
.
