New COVID School Rules Go into Force: Everything You Need to Know

On Sunday, January 9th, the new COVID school rules came into force in Israel.

According to the Ministry of Health, the traffic light system will be discontinued in schools and kindergartens. In addition, the limit on 70% vaccinated and the indication of the reduction of contacts will be canceled.

In case of contact with an infected, educational institutions will act in accordance with the policy of tests and quarantines.

If infected, the class will act as follows:

1. Vaccinated/recovered (as determined by the Ministry of Health) must do a home antigen test or an official antigen test. If the test result is positive (in the case of a positive home antigen test result, an official antigen test must be done) – quarantine for 10 days. End of quarantine only with the approval of a physician (no additional test required).
2. Unvaccinated/non-recovered individuals must do an official antigen test:
3. Negative result – quarantine for 7 days. End of quarantine if the official antigen test performed on the last day of quarantine is negative.
4. Positive result – quarantine for 10 days. The end of the quarantine is only with the approval of the doctor (no additional test is required).

Educational staff and visitors to the educational institution will be required to present a 'green pass'.

The duty to wear masks and restrictions on crowds remain in schools.

The district doctor of the Ministry of Health will be authorized to order the closure of the school after consultation with the relevant district department of the Ministry of Education.

Institutions of higher education will continue to operate on a green pass, with unvaccinated students being allowed to take an antigen test every 84 hours.

Students in the Arab sector will be required to take an antigen test after the winter vacation. In elementary schools, antigen tests will be conducted for students and teachers who have come into contact with the infected. The special scheme for boarding schools will be canceled.

The new scheme will apply to all educational institutions:

• All kindergartens, including crèches
• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• High schools
• Higher education and vocational education
• Non-formal education
• Boarding schools.