Fig. 1

Timeline of school closure and reopening against the epidemic curve of SARS-CoV2 infection* in the Israeli population [52] (adapted and used with permission). (1) 21 Feb 2020 First COVID-19 cases reported. (2) 13 Mar Schools Closed (first national lockdown March 16). (3) 31 Mar Passover Vacation. (4) 18 Apr End of Passover vacation: School status changed to Closed. (5) 1 May Reopening announced. (6) 3 May Partially re-opening (grades 1–3 and 11–12 in-class teaching in “capsules”). Ultraorthodox schools (ages 13+) open due to pressure within and outside the government (7) 10 May Pre-schools reopened. On 17 May schools open in all sectors (without “capsules”, but with obligatory mask-wearing policy for age 7 and up.). (8) 3 Jun A new policy orders any school where a virus case emerges to close. (9) 8 Jun Closure of 100+ schools due to school outbreaks. (10) 21 Jun Middle and high schools closed. 1 Jul primary schools closed for summer vacation. Kindergarten to 3rd grade continued in optional summer school until August 8. (11a) 24 Aug Ultraorthodox schools (yeshivas) open. (11) 1 Sep Schools open except in high outbreak areas. (12) 17 Sep Nearly all schools close for 3-weeks due to rising infections. (2nd lockdown). (13) 27 Sep Peak of second wave. (14) 18 Oct Daycares, preschool and kindergarten for ages 0–6 reopen. (15) 1 Nov Schools partially open (grades 1–4 in "capsules"). (15a) 24 Nov Grades 5–6 return to school in “capsules” (cancelling capsules in grades 1–2). (15b) 29 Nov Grades 10–12 return to school. (15c) 6 Dec Grades 7–9 return to school. (16) 13 Dec Schools close Hannukah Vacation. (17) 19 Dec Schools partially open (kindergarten, Grades 1–4, 11–12). Other grades online exclusively. Third nationwide surge of infection and partial lockdown. 18) 8 Jan 2021 All schools closed, third general lockdown. *New daily cases per 100,000 of population, 7 day rolling average