COVID-19 in Bulgaria: Children from 1st to 4th Grade can Return to Class in 7 to 10 days

The return of children to school should take place in stages, first - 1st-4th grade. This could happen in 7 to 10 days if the Ministry of Finance provides the necessary funds for tests for children and parents agree to be tested, said Health Minister Dr. Stoycho Katsarov at an extraordinary meeting of the caretaker government with President Rumen Radev.

The meeting began in the absence of Prime Minister Stefan Yanev, whom the head of state apologized for without giving a reason.

The main appeal of the head of state was the return of children to school as soon as possible, especially those from 1st to 4th grade. He asked for clarification on this issue first.

Katsarov promised a return soon, but only if funds are provided for sparing tests, in which the more drastic method of taking a nose sample is not necessary, as well as if the parents agree for the children to be tested.

"As long as I am the Minister of Health, I will not allow it to interfere with the children's noses,"Katsarov said, proposing the provision of tests in the form of lollipops, through saliva, "without harming it."

When testing the entrance, if a child turns out to be positive, they will not enter school, will not be in contact with their classmates and will not have to quarantine the whole class, explained Minister Katsarov.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Nikolay Denkov, also insists on an entrance filter and gentle tests for children and teachers. He supports the current closure due to the drastic change in the epidemic.

"From September 15 to October 10, quarantined teachers increased about 3 times, and quarantined children - five times. In other words, we have 12...