APPROVED: THE REMOVAL OF MASKS IN CLASSROOMS AND PUBLIC SPACES UNTIL THE WEEKEND DUE TO HEAT WAVE

Incoming Health Minister Yuli Edelstein (Tuesday) approved the removal of masks in classrooms and public spaces until the weekend, following the incident. This follows the request of the Ministry of Education to cancel the obligation to wear masks in schools during the extreme weather, and after the local authorities announced the termination of school.
"The corona defense must be taken seriously, but the heat wave may be dangerous in itself," the health minister said. "In light of the professional rank recommendations, I decided to allow the removal of the masks when there is no gathering."
Edelstein instructed his office's CEO, Moshe Bar Seaman, to sign a permit to remove masks in classrooms and in the public space, as long as no gathering was created. The duty of wearing a mask for students staying in the school as well as for those who are in an open area or in a non-air-conditioned building, except when gathering, due to the extreme heat load expected on these dates. "
Earlier today, Education Ministry Director Shmuel Abuab approached the Director General of the Ministry of Health to cancel the obligation to wear masks in schools during Sharab days. This, after many local authorities announced the quit in grades four and 12 in protest of the directive, which they say makes it more difficult for students while a heat wave is raging across the country.
Abouab wrote to the bar a good sign that "the heat loads, these days, are particularly difficult for students, beginning with fourth grade, who are required to attend classrooms with masks that cover most of their faces." "In the past two days, we have received many inquiries from students, which indicates that the duty of masks on many days is an irresistible duty. True, there are air conditioners in classrooms, but the heat is unbearable, and many students indicate difficulty and inability to concentrate."
Parents across the country have expressed outrage at the guidance. The national parenting leadership last night demanded the repeal of masking throughout the school day, during the heat wave. The parents demanded "to end the masked farce," noting that "this is a demand that the public does not meet, especially during these extreme times." The parents made it clear that without canceling the requirement, they support not sending their children to school.
Some local authorities have received the parents' comments. Mayor of Rishon Lezion, Raz Kinstlich, has made it clear to the students' parents that the city's education system is currently accepting every parent's decision. "We are in a complex situation. The Ministry of Health's guidelines for learning with masks combined with the heavy heat that make us difficult make schooling difficult. I understand the frustration and concern for children's comfort," Kinstich said.
Ramat Gan Mayor Carmel Shama Cohen also announced that fourth-graders in his city will only return to school on Friday, after the heat wave breaks. He explained that the decision was made after consulting with educators and medical staff, administrators, teachers, parents and students and that the municipality's recommendation for administrators is to teach grades 1-3 in two groups to reduce density and increase air-conditioning efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Herzliya municipality announced that the fourth-12th grade classes will take place remotely, even after the masks have been removed due to the pain. "Herzliya welcomes the fact that the Ministry of Education has realized that it is not possible to wear a mask in the class days. However, since the hasty decision was made only in the dead of night, and most parents and students were not prepared to arrive this morning, the municipal administration and the education department, in agreement with the municipal parent's leadership, decided that the schooling will take place at a distance. "