Tips to prevent spread of coronavirus in schools

The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), Unicef and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have issued new guidelines to help protect children and schools from the transmission of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

According to the Government News Agency, the guidelines provide practical checklists to keep schools safe. They will also advise national and local authorities on how to adapt and implement emergency plans for educational facilities.

“In the event of school closures, the guidance includes recommendations to mitigate against the possible negative impacts on children’s learning and wellbeing.

“This means having solid plans in place to ensure the continuity of learning, including remote learning options such as online education strategies and radio broadcasts of academic content, and access to essential services for all children. These plans should also include necessary steps for the eventual safe reopening of schools,” the organisations said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

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Where schools remain open, and to make sure that children and their families remain protected and informed, the guidance calls for:

• Providing children with information about how to protect themselves;
• Promoting best handwashing and hygiene practices and providing hygiene supplies;
• Cleaning and disinfecting school buildings, especially water and sanitation facilities; and
• Increasing airflow and ventilation.

The guidance, while specific to countries that have already confirmed the transmission of Covid-19, is still relevant in all other contexts.

“Education can encourage students to become advocates for disease prevention and control at home, in school, and in their community by talking to others about how to prevent the spread of viruses. Maintaining safe school operations or reopening schools after a closure, requires many considerations, but if done well, can promote public health,” added the organisations.

They added that safe school guidelines implemented in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone during the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease from 2014 to 2016, helped prevent school-based transmissions of the virus.

Unicef urged schools, whether open or helping students through remote learning, to provide students with holistic support.

“Schools should provide children with vital information on handwashing and other measures to protect themselves and their families, facilitate mental health support, and help to prevent stigma and discrimination by encouraging students to be kind to each other and avoid stereotypes when talking about the virus,” it said.

The new guidance also offers helpful tips and checklists for parents and caregivers, as well as children and students themselves.

These actions include:

• Monitoring children’s health and keeping them home from school if they are ill;
• Encouraging children to ask questions and express their concerns; and
• Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth and nose.

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