Kurdistan Regional Government Committee on Coronavirus Issues New School Regulations

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Minister of Interior Rebar Ahmad on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the government’s High-level Committee on Coronavirus to examine current health conditions in the Kurdistan Region and re-evaluate measures in place.
During the meeting, attended by relevant ministers and governors, Minister of Health Dr. Saman Barzinji presented a detailed report on the latest numbers of coronavirus infections and related fatalities in the Kurdistan Region.
Following an exchange of views, the Committee issued the following decisions:
1. Public and private schools will shut down for first, second, and twelfth grades until January 7, after which there will be a review of health conditions;
2. First, second, and twelfth grades can benefit from online classes until schools reopen;
3. Public and private schools will continue offering online classes for grades three to eleven. Group visits to schools will be suspended until January 7, after which there will be a review of health conditions;
4. Schools in villages or remote areas with limited internet access and a limited number of students will close for all grades;
5. Private nursery schools will close until January 7, after which there will be a review of health conditions;
6. Public and private institutes run by the Ministry of Education will shut down until January 7, after which there will be a review of health conditions;
7. The Ministry of Education will make use of public holidays as necessary to reopen schools and schedule exams;
8. Scientific departments in universities and institutes will continue implementing blended learning systems until January 7, in full compliance with public health guidelines;
9. Schools of Humanities in universities and institutes will continue classes until January 7, with tougher health guidelines in place;
10. Provincial Operation Rooms will be tasked with monitoring public spaces, such as places of worship, to ensure compliance with health guidelines;
11. In addition to these decisions, orders issued in statement number (52) by the Ministry of Interior on October 24 will also be implemented.
These decisions will come into effect on December 2.