Dear students in Tækniskólinn and guardians

As most if not all of you know, the number of COVID infections in Iceland has increased significantly recently and on Friday, tougher domestic measures were introduced. These include among other things an obligation to wear a mask if it is not possible to maintain a 1 meter distance from others. Although it is permitted for framhaldsskóli (upper secondary school) to deviate from the one meter rule when students are seated during a lesson, we have decided not to use that exemption.

So we reintroduce the rule of wearing a mask today and will use it in classrooms (also while sitting), corridors and other common areas (except of course when we sit down to eat). In fact, we just go back to the methods we used earlier this fall and are all familiar with. As before, it is very important for us to be able to maintain as much on-site teaching as possible as several vocational subjects are hard to teach over the internet. At the same time, we want to keep our stay at school as safe as possible, and that is where the mask plays a big role. However, it should be noted that teachers are allowed to take off their masks when they teach by the blackboard and are at a good distance from the students just as it was earlier this fall.

We will use this mask rule for the coming week and will reassess the situation next weekend. I emphasize for everyone to practice good personal sanitary measures and  that you not come to our school buildings if you are in isolation or quarantined due to COVID19. In addition, I encourage you to get tested if you have any symptoms that could indicate COVID19. You can read about how to get tested if you have symptoms here: https://www.covid.is/sub-categories/testing-due-to-symptoms

As before, masks are available at the entrances of our school buildings and we will welcome students at the school entrances tomorrow and remind them to wear a mask and disinfect their hands.

From the beginning of the pandemic we in Tækniskólinn have in general tried be more careful than not given the situation at each time with good results and we intend to continue to do so. We look forward to seeing you at school tomorrow as we sail into the final weeks of the semester.

Best regards,
Principal Hildur