French teachers have walked out in a nationwide strike Thursday to express anger at the way the government is handling the virus situation in schools, denouncing confusing rules and calling for more protection, according to AP News.
Exhausted by the pressures of surging COVID-19 cases, a large majority of teachers were expected to support the call by 11 unions to protest virus-linked class disruptions and ever-changing isolation rules. Unions have staged a street protest in Paris city centre on Thursday afternoon. The government said 27% of teachers were on strike.
France is at the epicenter of Europe’s current fight against COVID-19, with new infections topping 360,000 a day this week, driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. Teachers are upset and want clarifications on rules and more protections, such as extra masks and tests to help with the strain.
The SNUIPP teacher’s union is calling for a return to a previous rule that shuts classes down for a week if a child tests positive. Teachers are also demanding higher quality masks, more testing at schools and devices in classes warning when ventilation is required.
The strike comes after French senators approved a bill requiring adults to provide proof of vaccination to enter restaurants and bars, cinemas, theatres, museums, sports arenas and inter-regional trains. Unvaccinated kids between 12 and 17 can show a negative test. The measure will come into force after parliament approves the legislation by next week.