Christmas break for schools should be extended: ECDC

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), suggested that an extinction in the school break will help to prevent a surge of Covid-19 cases. 

There have been warnings already from the pan-EU agency regarding the chances of transmission of Covid-19 virus during the Christmas period.

In order to minimize this damage, it recommends to consider an extension of the school holidays or a time of distance learning for students. 

Similarly like the students, there are chances of virus spread through employees also. ECDC thus suggest a similar time of remote working for employees to limit the chances of transmission in the workplace before and after the end-of-year break.

Their report says that this period of year is most often associated with activities such as social gatherings, shopping and travelling, which would pose significant additional risks for intensified transmission.

The report also says that sometimes, people tempt to act against the rules or forbids themselves from following protective measures during this period.  

The ECDC also advises that the lifting measures too early can result in an increase in cases and hospital causalities and emergencies, and this would be particularly quick if measures were lifted abruptly.

Considering the various factors, it says the danger that COVID-19 poses to the general population is assessed as ‘high’.

This risk will be even higher when it comes to vulnerable individuals like elderly people and small kids.