The following strategies and adaptations were recommended by the United Nations health body, World Health Organisation (WHO) to be in place wherever possible to limit exposure to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19):
Educate everyone in the school about COVID-19 prevention, this includes appropriate and frequent hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, mask use if mandated, symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if you feel sick. Non-contact greetings should also be advised. Offer weekly updates on these as the pandemic evolves.
Create a schedule for frequent hand hygiene, especially for young children, and provide sufficient alcohol-based rub or soap and clean water at school entrances and throughout the school.
Schedule regular cleaning of the school environment daily, including toilets, with water and soap/detergent and disinfectant
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, desks, toys, supplies, light switches, door frames, play equipment, teaching aids used by children, and covers of books.
Assess what can be done to limit risk of exposure, or direct physical contact, in physical education classes, sports or other physical activities and play in playgrounds, wet areas and changing rooms.
Increase frequency of cleaning in gym and sports facilities and changing rooms, provide hand hygiene stations at entrances and exits, establish one-way circulation of athletes through the facilities and limit the number of persons allowed in the locker room at one time.
Put in place respiratory and hand hygiene and physical distancing measures in transportation such as school buses, and tips for students on safe commute to and from school, including those using public transport.
Only 1 child per seat and at least 1 metre apart in school buses, if possible. This may lead to a need to increase the number of school buses per school. If possible, windows of the bus should be kept open.
Develop a school policy on wearing a mask or a face covering in line with national or local guidance. If a child or school staff is sick, she/he should not come to school. Provide sufficient medical masks for those who need it, such as school nurses and children with symptoms. Screening and management of sick students, teachers and other school staff
Enforce the policy of “staying at home if unwell” for students, teachers or school staff with symptoms. If possible, connect with local organizations to provide home care support and ensure communication between home and school.
WHO recommends 70% ethyl alcohol to disinfect small surface areas and equipment, or sodium hypochlorite 0.1% for disinfecting surfaces.
Create a checklist for parents/students /staff to decide whether students /staff can go to school, and with due consideration for the local epidemiology of COVID-19. The checklist could include: underlying medical conditions and vulnerabilities, to protect the student/staff; recent illness or symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, to prevent spread to others; special circumstances in the home environment, to tailor support as needed; special considerations regarding school transport as needed.
Waive the requirement for a doctor’s note to excuse absences when there is community transmission of COVID-19.
Consider daily screening for body temperature, and history of fever or feeling feverish in the previous 24 hours, on entry into the building for all staff, students, and visitors to identify persons who are sick.
Ensure students who have been in contact with a COVID-19 case stay home for 14 days.
The school officials should notify public health authorities in case of a positive COVID-19 case.
Establish procedures for students or staff who have symptoms of COVID-19 or are feeling unwell in any way to be sent home or isolated from others.
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