Influenza A: towards a school closure?
"In case of a total pandemic, if the circumstances require it, we will stand ready to close the institutions" said Education Minister Luc Chatel, in an interview with Le Figaro, published Wednesday, August 12.
To prepare parents for this eventuality, 12 million brochures will be distributed on the first day of school. The purpose is to recall the actions to be taken to limit the transmission of virus and to inform adults about the measures decided by the ministry in the event of a pandemic.
The closure of the establishments will be done on a case by case basis and will be decided by the prefect in consultation with the Ministry of Education and the school directors.
"No threshold has been set to close a school, we will adapt on a case by case basis" the minister repeated in the same interview. "The decision will be taken (...) after examination of the national and local epidemiological situation ".
In the event of closures, students will be able to take distance courses via France 5, France Culture and the Internet. The distance learning organization, the CNED, is also ready to provide educational programs. They are already planned for 12 weeks, the duration of the peak pandemic. These programs will target students ranging from the large section of kindergarten to high school students.
On August 18, the Minister will present his information plan on the influenza A and reaction in case of contagion in schools.
Luc Chatel also said that for now a widespread vaccination was not relevant.
To prepare parents for this eventuality, 12 million brochures will be distributed on the first day of school. The purpose is to recall the actions to be taken to limit the transmission of virus and to inform adults about the measures decided by the ministry in the event of a pandemic.
The closure of the establishments will be done on a case by case basis and will be decided by the prefect in consultation with the Ministry of Education and the school directors.
"No threshold has been set to close a school, we will adapt on a case by case basis" the minister repeated in the same interview. "The decision will be taken (...) after examination of the national and local epidemiological situation ".
In the event of closures, students will be able to take distance courses via France 5, France Culture and the Internet. The distance learning organization, the CNED, is also ready to provide educational programs. They are already planned for 12 weeks, the duration of the peak pandemic. These programs will target students ranging from the large section of kindergarten to high school students.
On August 18, the Minister will present his information plan on the influenza A and reaction in case of contagion in schools.
Luc Chatel also said that for now a widespread vaccination was not relevant.
