Table 2 Overview of IPC measures, testing- and vaccination strategies for school-aged children and adolescents across the Nordic countries, autumn 2021 (week 30–41, July 26th – October 17th)
Denmark | Finland | Iceland | Norway | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
All measures in society lifted | Sep 11th (regional mitigation measures may exist) | Sep 30th (regional mitigation measures may exist) | No decision | Sep 25th (regional mitigation measures may exist) | Sep 29th (mitigation measures remain unchanged for unvaccinated individuals) |
Start of universal vaccination 16–17 y | Week 23 (June 7th) | Week 25 (June 21st) | Week 24 (June 14th) | Week 34 (Aug 23rd) | Week 29 (July 19th) |
Start of universal vaccination 12–15 y | Week 29 (July 19th) | Week 32 (Aug 9th) | Week 26a (June 28th) | Week 36 (Sep 6th) (Only one dose) | Week 42b (Oct 18th) |
Testing, isolation, contactc tracing and quarantine | In place | In place | In place | In place | In place |
General population: Test (2 tests) and quarantine (if unvaccinated) until result of test on day 4. | General population: Quarantine for close contacts, depending on vaccination status. | General population: Quarantine for close contacts, depending on vaccination status. | General population: Quarantine for close contacts, depending on vaccination status. | General population: Quarantine and screening for unvaccinated household and other close contacts. | |
School (from Sep 9th)d: Primary and lower secondary school: test-to-stay strategy of entire class and other close contacts to replace quarantine (2–3e tests) | School: Quarantine and testing of classes and other close contacts (test result did not affect quarantine practice). | School: Test-to-stay for lesser exposures (2 tests)f | School: Test-to-stay strategy. (2–3e tests or regular testing) (except from unvaccinated household contacts). | School: Testing of classes and other close contacts. No quarantine. | |
Indication for testing | Symptomatic testing (regardless of vaccination status) Testing of household- and other close contacts Weekly testing recommended for unvaccinated ≥9 years (from Sep 9th) | Symptomatic testingg. Testing of household- and other close contacts (including school exposures) | Symptomatic testing. Testing of household- and other close contacts Testing in schools for larger gatherings (school events) | Symptomatic testing (regardless of vaccination status). Testing of household- and other close contacts Weekly testing in areas/ schools with high incidence/ outbreaks | Symptomatic testing > 6 years (regardless of vaccination status). Testing of household- and other close contacts > 6 years. |
IPC measures in schools | General IPC measures (hygiene and stay at home if sick policy) | General IPC measures (hygiene and stay at home if sick policy) | General IPC measures (hygiene and stay at home if sick policy) | General IPC measures (hygiene and stay at home if sick policy) | General IPC measures (hygiene and stay at home if sick policy) |
No facemasks | Face masks for those 12 years and aboveg. | Facemasks and distancing partly in useh | No facemasks | No facemasks | |
No cohorting or distance requirements for students | No cohorting or distance requirements for students | No cohorting in school | No cohorting or distance requirements for students | No cohorting or distance requirements for students |