Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) has released standard operating procedures for a partial reopening of the schools and higher educational institutes. The schools are being reopened for classes 9th to 12th classes voluntarily. Students can visit schools for taking guidance from their teachers. Schools will reopen with the SOP in effect from September 21, 2020.
Right now the nation is under a phase-wise unlocking protocol. The SOP for a partial reopening of schools will be following the unlock 4 guidelines of Home Ministry which came into effect from September 1, 2020.
The SOP includes generic as well as specific precautionary measures to be taken by the schools allowing the students of classes 9 to 12 in schools.
The generic measures include social and physical distancing of at least 6 feet, mandatory use of face covers / masks, hand washing and sanitizing the hand are frequent intervals of time even if the hands are not visibly dirty, sneezing and coughing habits to be regulated, installation and use of the aarogya setu app, self-check of body temperature and reporting is any rise in it is noticed.
The specific instructions for classes 9 to 12 include, along with the schools being physically active, the online / distance learning must be continued and must be encouraged more. To visit the school for guidance from the teachers, the written consent of parents / guardians will be mandatory. The visit must be organised in a staggered manner.
The opening of schools is however not allowed in the containment zones. Further, students, teachers, and employees living in containment zones will not be allowed to attend school. before the schools start the reopening process they are instructed to sanitise all their rooms, labs, and the entire premises.
Especially the schools that were COVID-19 quarantine centers must be deep cleaned before opening their gates to the students.
For attendance, the schools have been instructed to arrange a contact less process to record attendance. However, assemblies, sports, and events that can lead to overcrowding must not be resumed.
Guidelines for air conditioning has been also mentioned stating that AC devices should be in the range of 24-30 degree and the humidity must be in the range of 40-70% with adequate cross ventilation.
The school management must have appropriate back-up stock of personal protection items like face covers / masks, visors, hand sanitizers, etc.
The schools have to ensure crowd management at the parking lots, lifts, corridors etc. Also if the schools is arranging transportation system, then those must be also sanitised and cleaned after each use. Daily cleaning of the floors shall be taken up.
If a student, parent, or any school authority shows COVID-19 symptoms in the school premises then they must be placed in a room or area where they are isolated from others. Also, the nearest medical facility must be informed simultaneously.
India’s COVID-19 case numbers have crossed 42 lakh mark after 75,809 new cases were reported, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Tuesday. The total cases are now at 42,80,423 including 8,83,697 active cases, 33,23,951 cured/discharged/migrated and 72,775 deaths.
