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Christmas school holidays should be extended, ECDC says

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is suggesting an extended school br...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

15.03 5 Dec 2020


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Christmas school holidays shou...

Christmas school holidays should be extended, ECDC says

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

15.03 5 Dec 2020


Share this article


The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is suggesting an extended school break, to prevent a surge of coronavirus cases.

The pan-EU agency is warning of an increased risk of transmission of the virus over Christmas.

It recommends that to decrease this risk during and after gatherings, "an extension of the school holidays or a time of distance learning for students" should be considered.

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While it also suggests a similar time of remote working for employees to reduce the opportunities for transmission in the workplace before and after the end-of-year break.

The report notes that this time of year is "traditionally associated with activities such as social gatherings, shopping and travelling, which would pose significant additional risks for intensified transmission".

school holidays Source: ECDC

But it also says that an "aggravating factor" is reports of what has been described as 'pandemic fatigue' - with some people becoming de-motivated to follow protective measures, especially during this period.

The ECDC also warns that lifting measures too early "would result in an increase in cases and hospitalisations, and this would be particularly rapid if measures were lifted abruptly."

Based on the various factors, it says the risk that COVID-19 poses to the general population is assessed as 'high'.

But for vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and people with underlying health conditions, this moves to 'very high.'


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Christmas School Holidays Coronavirus Cases Distance Learning ECDC European Centre For Disease Prevention And Control Pandemic Fatigue Remote Working School Break School Holidays Students Surge

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