There are no plans to transfer schoolchildren to distance learning due to an increase in the incidence of coronavirus, the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation said Sergey Kravtsov on Tuesday.

“This is absolutely certain,” he assured. “Where the incidence rate is really increasing, appropriate measures are introduced, but on a massive scale—that’s not the question.”

The same applies to the mask regime in educational institutions – it can be introduced “spotwise by decision of the regional education authority, but not systemically.”

“All our schools are open, thank God, the educational process is underway, we are preparing for the New Year,” the official shared.

The epidemiological situation with coronavirus in Russia continues to worsen. Last week, COVID-19 cases increased by 38.4% and hospitalizations increased by 16.9%. About 30% of all identified cases occur in Moscow, the Moscow region and St. Petersburg.