By DPA,
Brussels : There is currently no need to close or delay the opening of Europe’s schools because of swine flu, health officials of the European Union (EU) agreed Thursday. Earlier they discussed common action against the virus that has infected more than 35,000 people across the continent.
However, national authorities should “locally close schools reactively upon infection being found among students” so as to delay the spread of the virus, the EU Health Security Committee said in a statement.
France is among the member states to have unveiled plans to close all schools and opt for long-distance learning in the event of a widespread swine-flu crisis in the country.
The country’s education minister told Le Figaro Wednesday that if this were to happen, lessons would be given via the internet and public broadcasting channels.
The meeting in Brussels, which was chaired by the European Commission and included officials from the bloc’s 27 members states, noted that in the event of schools being shut, officials should also prevent alternative gatherings of children.
As far as travelling is concerned, the committee invited those who have fallen ill to delay their departures and stay at home. It also reminded governments that any action aimed at dealing with the virus “should not lead to (the) restriction of movement at the EU borders and travel restrictions between EU Member States”.
This means that people who developed symptoms while abroad should not be prevented from travelling home, except for clinical reasons. At the same time, infected travellers should wear protective masks.
According to the commission’s latest figures, more than 184,000 people have been diagnosed with swine flu, or A(H1N1) Influenza, worldwide. Of these, 35,200 are in Europe.
The EU Health Security Committee plans to issue guidelines on vaccines in the coming days, officials in Brussels said.