Speaking to CYBC ahead of the coming school year, Prodromou said that the health protocol for schools has been prepared and all students will need to present a SafePass with the reopening of schools.

This means that children must be either vaccinated against the virus, having recovered from the virus in the last six months or have a negative coronavirus test no older than 72 hours.

The requirement also includes teachers according to the education ministry’s circular.

Universities will probably operate differently, providing for students to carry out a PCR instead of a rapid test.

To assist the testing of unvaccinated children, free mobile rapid testing units will be operating at public schools.

The sites will only be available for students and not teachers, the minister explained.

At the same time, the scenario for mandatory vaccination of educators is not on the table, he told the media.

The minister said that experts pushed for the use of face mask by primary pupils, however it will not be mandatory.

Since the pandemic outbreak, 50,000 single desks have been installed in various schools across Cyprus, while more are expected for Limassol district, Prodromou added.

Children as young as 12 can receive an mRNA vaccine in Cyprus given the written consent of both their parents or guardians.

So far, 8.6% of children between 12 and 15 have received their first jab while the respective figure for the 16 to 17 has reached 32%. Just over 22% of the 16 to 17s have received both jabs.

Source: Cyprus Mail