Schools and daycare centers closed until further notice

All of the nation’s schools and daycare centers will remain closed as a precaution,” said Education, Science and Culture Minister Lilian Ferrier at a press conference that was held on Saturday night. This means that the Easter vacation which was scheduled to start mid April has in fact started sooner. Government officials gave the latest updates on the new coronavirus, COVID-19, at the press conference. The government on Friday stated that the schools would remain open. “The government has changed its mind because a protocol that must apply to schools would not be applicable within such a short period,” said Vice President Ashwin Adhin. “Due to the infection risk of the COVID-19 virus, the government has decided to close all public, religious and private schools as of Monday, March 16, 2020. The nation’s Easter vacation commenced on March 16 and will end on April 14 in response to the crisis. The schools will start again on April 15, 2020 if officials give the all-clear. Of course all tests and exams have been postponed until after the Easter vacation.

The Education minister explained that the teachers at the schools for higher education have been asked to prepare their students online. Minister Ferrier also urged parents and guardians to keep their children indoors and to stick to the hygiene guidelines of the Public Health Bureau (BOG). Several managers from daycare centers pointed out that they did not want to take any risks and that they therefore would also keep the doors closed.

One of the managers explained that ‘one can’t keep children from hugging each other or shaking each other’s hands’. Concerned parents are wondering what will happen now that the schools have been closed.

Abigail who has two children does not know what to do now that the daycare centers have also closed their doors. Many parents find the situation concerning. “I understand that the children’s health is a top priority but who thinks about the working parents? I can’t take a whole month off to stay home with my children,” said a woman who complained that nobody thought about their situation.