Swiss canton rewards schools for mass tests by… abolishing compulsory mask use

Switzerland joins states offering privileges to those complying with anti-corruption measures COVID-19, as one area allows students in the two largest primary school classes to take off their masks if their schools are taking massive coronavirus diagnostic tests.

This small move since April 12 from the mountainous canton of Grizon to the Italian border is a feature of the general global debate over whether people who test negative or have been vaccinated should enjoy more freedom.

To travel by plane, you already need to show a negative test, while the airlines want those who have been vaccinated to be able to travel without restrictions.

In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson began the debate by proposing that bars be able to restrict their customers to those who display so-called “pub passports” as evidence of their vaccination.

The canton of Grayson introduced the mandatory use of a mask for older children in primary school in February, as workers at luxury hotels in St. Moritz tested positive for coronavirus strains.

The canton has since launched mass tests, including in schools, and has said that students in 95% of the educational institutions that have participated in them should now be able to take off their masks.

“The decision is now based on the positive impact of the canton’s testing strategy,” authorities in Grizon said.

“With weekly school tests, we have access to a tool that can quickly identify COVID-19 cases and disrupt the transmission chain.”

In the canton of Grayson the use of a mask will continue to be mandatory for teachers and students of secondary education.