Closing schools for SARS-CoV-2: a pragmatic rapid recommendation

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Educational Policy

Background:

• Schools in Belgium closed during the March 2020 lockdown, partially reopened in May, and fully in September.
• Rising COVID-19 infections in the general population accelerated in September and October 2020.
• The continued in-person schooling for children prompted an evaluation of its sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically compare the benefits and harms of closing primary and secondary schools.
• To develop an evidence-based recommendation regarding school closures during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary panel, including pupils, teachers, and experts, developed the recommendation.
• Data from Belgian national surveillance and studies, supported by a rapid literature review, informed the guideline.

Main Results:

• School closures during the first lockdown likely caused significant learning delays and increased child abuse cases.
• The impact on infection rates, hospitalizations, transmission, and mental health remains uncertain.
• The panel determined that the harms of school closures outweigh the benefits, particularly for vulnerable children.

Conclusions:

• A strong recommendation exists against closing schools during periods of low to moderate virus circulation.
• A weak recommendation against school closures is advised during high virus circulation.
• The recommendation is not applicable if schools cannot function due to staffing or service shortages and may have international relevance.