Masks and distancing as Spain kids return to class

Over 8 million schoolchildren and teenagers in Spain are returning to classes this week with masks and efforts to keep social distancing, while authorities try to boost the rate of vaccination among students.

Coronavirus contagion has dropped from just over 700  at the end of July to 177 cases per 100,000 residents in 14 days on Monday, a level not seen since the beginning of the summer.

Deaths for COVID-19 have stubbornly remained well over 100 per day for weeks.

But the staggered return to schools, which varies depending on regions and age groups, has been a cause of concern because vaccination among the youngest started only in the past few weeks.

Virginia Menendez, director at Maestro Padilla school said they remained cautious but were confident about the return as most were vaccinated and there were safety measures in place.

About four in ten students over 12 have received the two vaccine doses required to build the optimum level of immunization.

Although there is little reluctancy to jabs in Spain, the government has launched campaigns on social media platforms to motivate teenagers.

Officials are betting on in-class education for this year, with no remote classes.

Mother of three Sara Sanz said it was very important for chidren to attend school in person.

But the return was not without its hassles, with each child having to wear and change face masks frequently and use hand sanitizer between classes, she said.

As in the last school year, when Spanish students returned to schools after nearly half of the 2020 year spent at home, pupils will need to wear masks in classrooms and during recess time for playing.

In most regions, the social distancing has been reduced to make room for more students per class and bring down the cost of hiring additional teachers.