More classes open Tuesday, all schools over two weeks

After a hammer-and-tongs debate, the coronavirus cabinet at 2 a.m. approved the reopening of grades 5-6 on Tuesday in “green” and “yellow” communities at least three times a week – albeit grouped in small classes. The intermediate and high grades may partially return to class in stages over the next two weeks. The process will be accompanied by expanded testing of teachers and pupils.  Many schools have been in lockdown for the past three months.

The decision is based on health experts’evaluation that the earlier reopening of preschools and low schools grades had little or no effect on the wider level of coronavirus infection and the importance of keeping to health rules. On Tuesday, new covid cases soared by 943 to 330,300, with 275 hospital patients in serious condition and a total death toll of 2,811.