The coronavirus pandemic has changed lives irrevocably. The repercussions of the COVID-19 disease impacts everyone. Everyone from older adults to kindergarten kids has had to adjust to many changes due to the pandemic. Many limitations now bind students who deserved a stress-free school life. Here’s the essence of COVID-19 guidance for schools.
Mitigating
the COVID-19 Transmission Risks in Schools
To mitigate
the transmission risks of COVID-19 in schools, there is a need for personal
preventive practices (like wearing face masks by individuals) and
community-based measures that authorities must implement.
Individuals
who have one or more COVID-19 symptoms should be barred from entering the
schools. In addition, people who have had exposure in the last 14 days should
also not be allowed entry into a school.
· Proper screening while entering the
school should be in place.
· Children should be guided on talking
to an adult in charge immediately if they think they have any COVID-19
symptoms.
· Children, staff, and families should
be informed about the latest public health advice.
· Signage that reminds people to
follow hand and respiratory hygiene should be put everywhere in the school.
· Children should be taught how to
wash hands by using age-appropriate learning resources.
· Frequent hand hygiene can also be
encouraged by asking kids to wash their hands at specific periods.
· Access to hand hygiene facilities
should be increased, and the supplies should be regularly updated (soap, water,
paper towels, etc.)
Guidance
for Younger Kids
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· Younger kids need constant reminders
on not touching other people or putting objects in their mouths.
· They should be supervised while
performing hand hygiene.
· The adoption of fun strategies like
singing an appealing song while washing hands should be considered.
Guidance
for Older Children
· Connect via social media tools to
encourage older kids to practice hand hygiene.
· Implement grade-level projects.
· Organize different awareness
initiatives.
For All
Ages
· Promote physical distancing.
· Ensure the use of face coverings or
masks.
· Spread awareness repeatedly to get
the message drilled in the kids’ heads.
Outbreak
Management
The school
administrators should consult with their PHA to develop plans that will be put
into action if there is an outbreak of COVID-19 at a school. Policies regarding
contact management, alternative delivery models, case management, and
environmental cleaning should be put in place. These plans should be in place
before initiating a return to school. The news of the outbreak should be contained,
but important parties like families, parents, students, school staff, and
guardians must be updated about the outbreak.
Educating
the Parents
The parents
should be informed about the COVID-19 protocols being followed at the school.
They should also be guided on what they can do at home to keep their kids safe.
Parents of kids whose first language is not English should be given specific
attention to ensure no communication gaps. Parents should be given the power to
decide whether they want to send the kids to school or not.
If you are
worried about the COVID-19 outbreak, consider heading to kids help phone or Family Support
Centre
Source- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/guidance-schools-childcare-programs.html