Quito, Jan 22 (Prensa Latina) The National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) of Ecuador today ordered the return to face-to-face teaching with voluntary assistance, taking into account the epidemiological situation due to Covid-19.
To make the decision, the members of the COE took into account the reports from the Ministry of Public Health, according to which this week there was a decrease of at least 10,000 cases of Covid-19, compared to the previous period evaluated.
Likewise, it contributed to the new measure the recategorization of the epidemiological traffic light, which now reduced the red localities from 193 to 13, raised those located in yellow to 171 and green to 29.
With these arguments, the authorities established the reopening of the educational units, which the week just ended remained closed and with virtual classes.
In accordance with the new provision, in the cantons in green, attendance at the unified general high schools, urban educational institutions and basic education, will be voluntary face-to-face with a maximum capacity of 2.25 meters per person and may be divided into groups by days or differentiated schedules.
The cities in yellow will apply similar measures for all grades and courses, while it will be possible to divide students into groups or differentiated schedules.
Finally, where there is a green traffic light, attendance will be voluntary in person, with a maximum capacity of 50 percent, calculated on the available physical capacity and there may also be division of groups by different days or times.
In this regard, the Minister of Education, María Brown, assured: “There is no greater risk for adults and children in the opening of schools.”
The measure applies to fiscal, fiscomisional and private schools.
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