Number of school groups in quarantine doubles on fourth day of classes

Twice as many school groups – 68 in total – are in quarantine as of Thursday, the fourth day of the 2020-2021 academic year, compared to the previous day according to the Catalan Education Department's latest figures.

Similarly, numbers also doubled on Wednesday, with 34 groups in self-isolation up from the 17 on Tuesday.

All in all, there are 52 schools that have had to send some students and teachers home after testing positive for Covid-19 or being in close contact with someone with the virus, with the department stressing the fact that 99.1% of schools have not been affected.

The affected schools are located in Barcelona, Tarragona, Reus, Salou, Artés, Balenyà, Centelles, Igualada, Manlleu, Piera, Torelló, Vic, Cabrils, Granollers, Masnou, Mollet, Montgat, Sant Pol de Mar, Rubí, Terrassa, Badalona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Girona, Olot, Puigcerdà, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Vilafant, Vulpellac, Lleida and Gavà.

While on Wednesday the education department released information on the number of students and teachers sent home – 801 – the figure as it stands on Thursday has not been provided.

Some 1.58 million students started classes again on Monday morning, with the 2020-2021 school year kicking off after a six-month hiatus.

The academic year began with very visible Covid-19 restrictions in place at Catalonia's roughly 5,400 educational institutions, including compulsory face mask use for all students 6 and over, frequent hand washing, and temperature checks.