Crisis HQ to adopt new rules on schools and economy in August: "Restrictive measures like boomerang"

The epidemiological situation regarding coronavirus in Serbia is calming down - to use the vocabulary of experts, we are entering an uncertain situation from an unfavorable one, and thus the question arises when we can expect a further easing of measures.

As Prime Minister Ana Brnabic announced during the press conference today, masks have been certain for some time, and depending on the area they concern, the rules of behavior will change and new measures will be adopted that should contribute to an easier life without endangering safety. Everything will be done gradually.

The most important topic now is September, that is, the return of children to school.

"What is upcoming and what the Crisis HQ is intensively dealing with is September and the return to school. Despite the fact that I think education is important, we must implement all preventive measures so that classes can start in as normal a manner as possible," said Ana Brnabic.

However, the details are yet to be considered.

"The Ministry of Education has sent a proposal to the Crisis HQ, which we are currently considering and we will give clear recommendations and instructions that the government will adopt. What I personally strive for is to give some really clear criteria according to which schools will decide how to operate," said Brnabic.

When it comes to online classes, she said this was something that has functioned well and showed good results when it was very quickly introduced in March.

"And that is the result of everything we have done in digital education from 2017 onwards. We were, I think, the only country in Europe that didn't lose a single day of classes during the coronavirus pandemic," the prime minister concluded.

Classes are still being recorded, digital classrooms and digital textbooks are being prepared.

"The return of children to school is currently the most important event and the highest priority in connection with this situation. Education is the foundation of our society and I think that's clear to everyone. It deserves thorough discussions so that we don't have someone completely meaninglessly resisting some measures, without having previously discussed it. An infected child must not appear at school at all, the child's temperature must be measured every morning and it must be reported if the child is ill," said Dr. Kon, stressing that this will be the obligation of the parents.

When it comes to restrictive measures, Kon pointed out that they are effective while applied, but that after they are relaxed, a "boomerang effect" will follow.

"Restrictive measures, that's your boomerang. Relaxation happens the moment you end restrictive measures and we have experienced it. So these measures which allow for a steady decline, seem to be much better in the long run. But we can't make that claim either, it all depends on how we behave. The only obligation that exists now is to wear masks and not to gather in numbers greater than 10, and that is not an insignificant ban," said Kon.

A new way of testing for companies

When it comes to the economy, there is a proposal to organize a completely different way of testing workers.

"It's the so-called pull testing, i.e. mass testing, where in one collective you take a swab from everyone and if someone is positive you take a swab individually. It's much cheaper, and it is an excellent method for employers, workers and unions," said Brnabic.

She added that talks are underway on the way cultural institutions will work.

"It is certainly necessary for us as a society to continue to live as normally as possible, to open theaters and cinemas and work on a protocol for that, but the expert part of our Crisis HQ will look at those recommendations and I hope that by August 15 we will issue recommendations to people to get ready for September and October," said Brnabic.

Dr. Predrag Kon added that now is not the time to discuss the lifting of measures, we will have to continue talking about masks, while cafes will be in line for consideration only after students return to school, and stressed that this is his opinion.

(Telegraf.rs/Telegraf.co.uk)