The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has published on its website the requirements for anti-epidemic measures in educational institutions for the period of quarantine. Thus, the entrance to the educational institution and movement inside will be possible only in a mask or respirator, but students of grades 1–4 will be able to be in school without them. At the same time, in regions with “orange” level of epidemic danger, teachers are recommended to use protective shields during classes. Below we provide additional information that students need to know.
Who are affected?
Anti-epidemic measures have been developed for out-of-school, general secondary and vocational higher education institutions, as well as vocational schools and universities.
Masks for children, protective shields for teachers
Entrance to the premises of the institution is possible only with a protective mask or respirator. Masks and respirators may not be used during classes, but their use is mandatory when moving around the premises. At the same time, for students in grades 1–4, entry to the institution and movement through the premises is possible without a mask or respirator. In regions with an “orange” level of epidemic danger, teachers are recommended to use protective shields during classes.
Temperature screening
The staff of the institution is allowed to work wearing a mask, respirator or protective shield and after contactless thermometry. In case of detection of temperature above 37.2 degrees or signs of acute respiratory disease, the employee is not allowed to the institution.
Information sharing and verification
Before class, educators should interview students about the health and symptoms of COVID-19. If signs of respiratory disease are detected, the student should be temporarily isolated in a special facility, after which the parents or legal guardians are informed of the case and a decision is made to send the student to a health facility.
Self-isolation
If COVID-19 is confirmed in one of the students, all other students in the relevant class or group must go into self-isolation.
Rules of work of educational institutions
In educational institutions it is necessary to:
- organize places for treatment of hands with antiseptics at all entrances to the institution, mark them with bright signs and instructions on the rules of hand disinfection;
- ensure the availability of liquid soap and paper towels or electric hand dryers in the bathrooms;
- ensure the centralized collection of used masks and gloves in separate containers with lids - at the entrance to the institution, in the corridors and bathrooms;
- equip medical centers with the necessary means – non-contact thermometers, antiseptics, personal protective equipment, etc.;
- place posters, banners about respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette;
- limit indoors mass events (meetings, gatherings), except for those necessary for the functioning of institutions – pedagogical meetings, meetings of administrations, competition commissions, conferences of the staff, etc.;
- create opportunities for organized movement of the institution – to use emergency exits, markings on the floor, to identify areas of movement for different age groups of students;
- clean and disinfect surfaces, door handles, tables, seats, railings, etc. after classes at the end of the working day;
- ventilate for at least 10 minutes after each session.
Outdoor classes
The movement of students between classrooms and auditoriums should be minimized. In particular, during the day you can hold classes of the same class or group in the same classroom/office, apply a modular approach to the study of disciplines, provide in the schedule the ability to determine different start and end times for different classes and groups. In addition, if possible, classes can be held outdoors.
Meal during quarantine
During the quarantine, it is not allowed to organize lunch in form all-you-can-eat buffet and self-service, as well as the work of drinking fountains. When eating, the distance between the tables should be at least 1.5 m, and there should be no more than four people at one table. If it is impossible to provide children with hot meal, it is necessary to organize lunch by distributing pre-packaged food.
School transport
There are also requirements for the transportation of children and employees of the institution in school transport. The carrier must provide drivers with masks/respirators and hand antiseptics, monitor their health on a daily basis and prevent workers with signs of acute respiratory disease and temperatures above 37.2 degrees.
The interior of the vehicle must be disinfected at the end of the work shift. Entrance to the car is carried out in the presence of a protective mask/respirator. The number of passengers must be within the number of seats.
COVID instruction
Managers and medical staff of educational institutions should provide explanations and instructions to staff and applicants on prevention measures, response to symptoms of coronavirus disease, and develop algorithms in case of an emergency related to COVID-19.
