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MINIMISING AND MANAGING THE COVID-19 VIRUS IN SCHOOLS
The COVID-19 Interim Recommendations for the reopening of schools and educational facilities has a chapter devoted to dealing with ways of minimising the risk of introducing COVID-19 into the school and managing the risk of spread if it is introduced.
4.1 MINIMISING THE RISK OF INTRODUCTION OF COVID-19 INTO THE SCHOOL Chapter 4 of the Recommendations suggests ways of minimising the risk for Staff and Pupils Visitors Influenza Immunisations
4.2 MANAGING THE RISK OF SPREAD IF THE VIRUS IS INTRODUCED INTO THE SCHOOL Chapter 5 of the Recommendations suggests ways of managing the spread of the virus through Hand Hygiene Wearing of Face Coverings / Masks Social Distancing Activities Use of Shared Equipment Environmental Hygiene (Cleaning – See Section 10) Click here to download the HPSC Recommendations
4.3 VENTILATION IN CLASSROOMS - UPDATEDS Ensuring that classrooms are well ventilated is important in order to prevent the spread of airborne viruses. This means balancing the comfort of a warm, and possibly stuffy, environment with the need for fresh, clean and virus free air, although less warm. The DES has updated its original advice to schools on ventilation on 30th November Click here to download the original DES Guidelines on Good Ventilation Practices in Schools Click here for Updated Ventilation Guidelines Cliceáil anseo chun Dea-Chleachtais Aerála a Úsáid i Scoileanna V2
4.4 HPSC GUIDANCE FOR SNAS The HPSC had issued further guidance for SNAs Supporting Children and Young People with Additional Care Needs in the Context of COVID-19. This document is a very useful one for all staff members and IPPN recommends that it be made available to them. In summary: It contains specific guidance for SNAs (and teachers) on the particular difficulties children with SEN may have in relation to COVID-19 o They may display behaviours with an increased risk of transmission of COVID-19 o They may have limited ability to self-report symptoms
KEEPING SCHOOLS SAFELY OPEN
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