In an interview with RFE/RL today, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia Arayik Harutyunyan said schoolchildren will go to class with face masks and stated that the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport envisages splitting big classrooms into two in order to make it possible for schoolchildren to maintain social distancing.

Earlier today, the minister had called on schoolchildren, university students and parents to restrict interactions or self-isolate in the period between September 1 and 14, if possible.

The minister added that schoolchildren will have classes for six days instead of five. “This is very important. The week is being extended so that schoolchildren spend as little time at school as possible, and this will significantly reduce the spread of the virus. There will also be a problem with food. Buffets and cafeterias won’t operate, and the ministry is trying to find solutions, but one of them is to make sure children spend as little time at school as possible,” he said.

When asked what will happen if two children with COVID-19 are detected in class, the minister said if the ministry sees that the virus spreads after testing, classes won’t be held in the particular classroom.

Harutyunyan added that these measures will be implemented at public and private schools.