New Delhi (NVI): World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have together issued guidance on adjusting public health and social measures while managing the risk of a resurgence of coronavirus cases, and prevention and control of COVID-19 in schools.
The guidance that was published on May 10, advises decision-makers that while deciding to close, partially close, or reopening schools, it should be guided by a risk-based approach to maximize the educational and health benefit for students, teachers, staff, and the wider community, and help prevent a new outbreak of COVID-19 in the community.
In a recent framework for reopening schools, WHO, UNICEF and IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) highlight six key dimensions to consider when planning: policy, financing, safe operations, learning, reaching the most marginalized and wellbeing/protection.
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, countries around the globe have implemented several public health and social measures (PHSM), such as movement restrictions, closure of schools and businesses, and international travel restrictions.
However, several countries have started to ease the lockdown measures in place, as the disease is gradually loosening its grip from these nations.
Factors to consider in a general health risk assessment include epidemiological factors, health system and public health capacities, community engagement and government capacity to sustain social and economic support to the most vulnerable.
The guidance also suggests that national authorities can facilitate a risk-based approach at the local level by offering standard operating procedures or checklists for schools, based on local epidemiology and conditions.
The guidance suggests that decision-makers should consider the following when deciding on whether to open or close schools:
• Current understanding about COVID-19 transmission and severity in children
• Local situation and epidemiology of COVID-19 where the school(s) are located
• School setting and ability to maintain COVID-19 prevention and control measures
Certain additional factors to consider in deciding how or when to partially close or reopen schools include assessing what harm might occur due to school closure – risk of non-return to school, widening disparity in educational attainment, limited access to meals, domestic violence aggravated by economic uncertainties etc – and the need to maintain schools at least partially open for children whose caregivers are ‘key workers’ for the country.
