Testing young schoolchildren for the coronavirus is stirring controversy in Israel, with resistance from both parents and school administrations. Last month, shortly after the beginning of the school year and ahead of the three-week Jewish holiday period, the government decided that all pupils aged 3 to 12 would need to take an antigen coronavirus test before returning to school on Sept. 29. Preschool and elementary students who have recovered from a bout with the virus are now obligated to take an antigen test before returning to class. Parents report the test results directly to the Education Ministry.
Widening testing requirements are part of a plan by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to stop the spread of the virus. He hopes to avoid school closures and limit quarantine restrictions to confirmed cases.