Key Messages for School Community to Prevent COVID-19 in Schools

Key messages and actions for school administrators, teachers and staff

• Ensure educational facilities are not used as health treatment or quarantine centers, as shelters or for any other non-educational purposes, even on a temporary basis.
• Promote and demonstrate regular hand washing and monitor their uptake.
• Ensure adequate, clean and separate toilets for girls and boys,
• Ensure soap and safe water is available at age-appropriate hand washing stations,
• Encourage frequent and thorough hand washing (at least 20 seconds),
• Place 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizers in toilets, classrooms, halls, and near exits where possible,
• Post signs encouraging good hand and respiratory hygiene practices.
• Clean and disinfect:
• School buildings, classrooms, kitchens and dining facilities, and especially water and sanitation facilities at least once a day,
• Surfaces that are touched by many people (railings, lunch tables, sports equipment, door and window handles, toys, teaching and learning aids etc.),
• Use sodium hypochlorite at 0.5% (equivalent 5000ppm) for disinfecting surfaces and 70% alcohol-based sanitizers for disinfection of small items,
• Ensure appropriate equipment for cleaning staff. 
  
• Increase air flow and ventilation where climate allows by opening windows.
• Ensure trash is removed daily and disposed of safely.