Paraguay's Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC) issued a series of recommendations for public, private, and subsidized private educational institutions, suspending the requirement to wear the full school uniform during days of intense cold. The measure, announced on May 17, 2026, aims to protect the health of children and adolescents amid an increase in cases of typical seasonal respiratory infections.
According to the MEC, students may attend classes in cold-appropriate clothing, such as coats, hats, scarves, and gloves, regardless of whether they conform to each school's standard uniform. The priority is to avoid exposure to cold and reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses.
Among the provisions is the exemption from forming lines in courtyards or open areas during school entry. The National Anthem may be sung inside classrooms, and outdoor activities must be suspended, replaced by pedagogical activities in indoor settings.
The MEC also recommends flexibility in arrival and attendance times, especially on days of heavy rain or extreme temperatures. Principals and teachers must maintain constant communication with families to monitor cases of respiratory illness or transportation difficulties.
Students with symptoms such as fever, cough, or general malaise should stay home and receive medical care. Schools must support learning through assignments and academic activities to prevent school delays.
Health recommendations include frequent hand washing, use of alcohol gel, adequate hydration, and consumption of citrus fruits. It is also advised to cover the mouth with the forearm when coughing or sneezing and to use disposable tissues to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.
The MEC emphasized that these measures are applied preventively every year during the low-temperature season, in response to the historical increase in acute respiratory infections in the country.