This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
As of August 4, 2020, thousands of children in Germany have begun attending school for the first time since the novel coronavirus broke out in the country in March.
However, the school day is shorter, class sizes have been reduced, and lesson hours have been shortened to minimize the risk of transmission.
Outside classrooms, children are required to maintain social distance from other groups of children to prevent the spread of the virus.
There is ongoing debate in Germany about the use of face coverings in schools, with different regions adopting varying policies.
Some states have recommended that face masks be worn only after classes, while others emphasize that they should be worn when entering and leaving class.
Another concern is the safety of older teachers during the pandemic, with some suggesting that they teach remotely to minimize their risk of exposure.
According to the United Nations, the world faces a 'general catastrophe' if children remain at home due to the pandemic, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stating that resuming studies should be a priority once the virus is under control.
More than 160 countries worldwide have closed schools due to the novel coronavirus, but some countries, such as Tanzania, have already resumed studies, while Scotland plans to reopen its schools in August.
