Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Schools

• Author: Bender, Lisa
• Subjects: Advocacy ; Check Lists ; Child Safety ; Coping ; COVID-19 ; Disease Control ; Disease Incidence ; Educational Environment ; Educational Facilities ; Elementary Secondary Education ; Foreign Countries ; Guidance ; Health Education ; Health Promotion ; Health Services ; Hygiene ; Pandemics ; Parent Role ; Preschool Education ; Prevention ; Public Health ; Sanitation ; School Community Relationship ; School Safety ; Social Discrimination ; Stress Variables ; Student Role ; Symptoms (Individual Disorders)
• Is Part Of: UNICEF, 2020
• Description: The World Health Organization (WHO) has made the assessment that COVID-19 (coronavirus) can be characterised as a pandemic and the virus has now spread to many countries and territories. While a lot is still unknown about the virus that causes COVID-19, we do know that it is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing) Individuals can also be infected from touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). There is currently no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it. While COVID-19 continues to spread it is important that communities take action to prevent further transmission, reduce the impacts of the outbreak and support control measures. The protection of children and educational facilities is particularly important. Precautions are necessary to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in school settings; however, care must also be taken to avoid stigmatizing students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus. It is important to remember that COVID-19 does not differentiate between borders, ethnicities, disability status, age or gender. Education settings should continue to be welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environments to all. Measures taken by schools can prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 by students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus, while minimizing disruption and protecting students and staff from discrimination. The purpose of this document is to provide clear and actionable guidance for safe operations through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in schools and other educational facilities. 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. [This report was co-produced by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).]
  
• Publisher: UNICEF
  
• Language: English
  
• Source: ERIC - Full Text Only (Discovery)