Home Department has issued an order stating that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the State there is a need to continue taking measures to prevent its spread;
In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 22 (2) (b) and Section 22 (2) (h) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, in the capacity of Chairperson, State Executive Committee, Chief Secretary Nagaland has permitted the reopening of pre-primary sections in the Schools in the State for the conduct of physical/offline classes with up to 50% attendance with effect from 01st March 2022.
The attendance of any student for the physical/offline classes shall be with parental consent, and it is further directed that the re-opening of any School shall be subject to all the teachers and non-teaching staff of the School concerned being fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19, and if not vaccinated then the person concerned should have been tested negative for COVID-19 through either RT-PCR or TrueNat or CBNAAT once in every 15 (fifteen) days, and further subject to adherence to all the provisions of the Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) as annexed on the preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 on the re-opening of Schools for physical/offline classes in the pre-primary sections.
SOP FOR REOPENING OF PRE-PRIMARY SECTIONS IN THE SCHOOLS FOR CONDUCT OF PHYSICAL CLASSES ON THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO CONTAIN SPREAD OF COVID-19
1. Scope
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines various generic precautionary measures to be adopted in addition to specific measures to be taken to prevent spread of COVID-19 when schools resume physical/offline classes for the children/students of pre-primary classes.
2. Requirement of Parental Consent
Schools shall seek prior consent of the parents concerned for the attendance of any child/student for the physical/offline classes, and for those children/students the consent is not given, the present system of online teaching by the Schools for such child/student shall be continued.
3. Maximum allowed percentage of attendance of children students in any physical class and requirement of mandatory vaccination/testing for teachers/non-teaching staff.
a) The maximum allowed percentage of attendance of children/students in any physical/offline class on a particular day shall be 50%.
b) All teachers and non-teaching staff should be fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19, or should have been tested negative for COVID-19 through either RT-PCR or TrueNat or CBNAAT once in every 15 (fifteen) days.
c) Schools planning to re-open for the physical/offline classes shall submit the list of all the teaching/non-teaching staff along with the details of the vaccination status or testing status as the case may be, as well as all the arrangements being made for ensuring adherence to the provisions of this SOPs to the respective District Task Force (DTF) through the District Education Officer concerned.
d) The DTF may carry out verifications as considered necessary, and only on being satisfied of the overall preparedness of the school concerned, may grant permission for the physical/offline classes.
e) Schools which have cases of teaching/non-teaching staff submitting negative COVID-19 test report on account of not being vaccinated against COVID-19 as mentioned above, shall continue submitting the details of the COVID-testing status of such teaching/non-teaching staff every 15 (fifteen) days to the respective District Task Force (DTF)through the District Education Officer concerned.
f) Schools shall continue with the present system of online teaching while making preparations and awaiting clearance from the DTF for re-opening for conduct of the physical/offline classes.
4. Generic Preventive Measures
The generic preventive measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19. These measures need to be observed by all concerned (teachers, employees and students) in these places at all times. These include:
i. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far as feasible.
ii. Face covers/masks should be mandatorily worn by teachers, non-teaching staff, employees and all concerned. A child 6 (six) years and above should also wear a mask. For a child of 5 (five) years and below, however, masks may not be insisted as advised at Page - 6 in the Revised Comprehensive Guidelines for Management of COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents (below 18 years) dated 20th January, 2022 by MoHFW.GoI. https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedComprehensiveGuidelinesforManageme ntofCOVID19inChiIdrenandAdolescentsbelowl8years.pdf
iii. Frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be done wherever feasible.
iv. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one's mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
v. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest.
vi. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited.
vii. Installation & use of AarogyaSetu App may be advised for teachers, employees wherever feasible.
5. All schools shall specifically ensure the following arrangements
i. Seating arrangement to ensure a distance of 6 feel between chairs, desks etc.
ii. Schools shall prepare alternate day routine for classes so as to fulfill the parameters given in 3(a) & 4(i) above. For example: Monday, Wednesday, Friday for UKG, and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday for LKG etc.
iii. Schools shall frame the alternate day routine as per the enrolment in each class and the infrastructure facilities available.
iv. Schools may encourage and continue Online/distance learning.
5.1 BEFORE OPENING UP OFSCHOOLS
a) Planning of reopening of schools.
i. Schools outside the containment zones only shall be allowed to open. Further, children/students, teachers and employees living in containment zones will not be allowed to attend schools, and they will also not visit areas falling within containment zones.
ii. Prior to resumption of activities, all work areas intended for teaching/demonstrations etc., other common utility areas shall be sanitized with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution, with particular attention to frequently touched surfaces.
iii. Schools that were used as Quarantine Centres will be properly sanitized and deep cleaned before functioning of the school is resumed. Guidelines issued by Ministry of Health &Family Welfare, Government of India for disinfection of common public places including offices may be referred to in this regard) (https://wwwjiiohfw.gov.in/pdf/Guidelinesondisinlectionofcommonpublicplacesi ncIudingofflces.pdf)
iv. Instead of biometric attendance alternate arrangements for contactless attendance shall be made by the school administration.
v. At all times, the teachers shall maintain a physical distancing of 6 feet apart, and they will take steps so that the children also maintain physical distancing, wherever feasible. Scheduling of activities and seating plan shall be made accordingly.
vi. Hand washing facilities along with provision of soap shall be ensured.
vii. For ensuring queue management, inside and outside the premises, specific markings on the floor with a gap of 6 feet may be made. Similarly, physical distancing shall also be maintained in staff rooms, office areas (including reception area), and other places (mess, libraries, cafeterias, etc.).
viii. Weather permitting, outdoor spaces may be utilized for conducting teacher- student interactions, keeping in view the safety and security of students and physical distancing protocols.
ix. Assemblies, sports and events that can lead to overcrowding should be avoided
x. Schools should display State helpline numbers and also numbers of local health authorities etc. to teachers/ employees/parents to contact in case of any emergency.
xi. For air-conditioning/ventilation wherever applicable, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which emphasizes that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30°C, relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70%, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate.
xii. Lockers of students will remain in use. as long as physical distancing and regular disinfection is maintained.
xiii. Gymnasiums, if any, existing in the school shall remain closed.
xiv. Swimming Pools, if any, existing in any school compound, shall remain closed.
b) Planning and scheduling of activities
All employees who are at higher risk i.e., older employees, pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions to take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the students. Similarly, necessary precautions may be taken in respect of the children with co-morbidities.
iGOT online modules training course on ‘basic awareness on COVID’ (https://diksha.gov.in/igot/explorecourse/course/do_3130103899712552) may be under taken by all employees and students on the first day.
c) Availability and management of supplies
i. Appropriate back-up stock of personal protection items like face covers/masks, visors, hand sanitizers etc. shall be made available by school managements to teachers and employees.
ii. Provide adequate supply of thermal guns, alcohol wipes or 1% sodium hypochlorite solutions and disposable paper towels, soap, I EC materials on COVID-19.
iii. Pulse oximeter to check oxygen saturation levels of any symptomatic person must be arranged.
iv. Ensure availability of sufficient covered dustbins and trashcans.
v. Provision for proper disposal of used personal protective items and general waste in accordance with CPCB guidelines (available at: https://cpcb.nic.in/upIoads/Projects/Bio-Medical-Waste/BMWGUIDELINES -COVID l.pdf) shall be made.
vi. Housekeeping employees to be informed &trained about norms for waste management &disposal.
5.2. AFTER OPENING OF SCHOOLS
a) At the entry point
i. Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser/hand washing facilities) and thermal screening provisions. Multiple gates/separate gates, if feasible, should be used for entry and exit.
ii. Only asymptomatic persons (teachers, employees and children) to be allowed in the premises. If a teacher/employee/children is found to be symptomatic, he/she should be referred to nearest Health Center.
iii. Posters/standees on preventive measures about COVID-19 to be displayed prominently.
iv. Proper crowd management in the parking lots, in corridors and in elevators - duly following physical distancing norms shall be organized.
v. Entry of visitors should be strictly regulated/restricted.
b) Conduct of activities in the rooms or open spaces within the school campus
i. Seating arrangement to ensure a distance of 6 feet between chairs, desks, etc.
ii. Staggering of activities to be done, with separate timings/slots, to allow for adequate physical distancing and disinfection of classroom premises.
iii. The teaching faculty will ensure that they themselves and students wear masks throughout the conduct of the teaching/guidance activities.
iv. Sharing of items like notebook, pens/pencil, eraser, water bottle etc. amongst student should not be allowed.
c) Activities in common areas - library, mess/canteen, common rooms, etc.
i. Physical distancing of 6 feet needs to be maintained.
ii. Persons using the common areas need to use mask/face cover all the times.
iii. Cafeteria/mess facility, if any within the premises, shall remain closed.
d) Transportation to and from the institution:
i. Sanitization of school transportation, interior and exterior, on regular basis at least twice a day — once before students board the transport and once after they de-board may be done by using 1% sodium hypochlorite solution/spray.
ii. A proper disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, i.e, steering, door handles, keys, etc., should be done. 70% Alcohol solution can be used to wipe down surfaces where the use of bleach is not suitable, e.g., metal.
iii. School Driver and conductor should maintain physical distance at all times particularly within rooms/ spaces designated for the drivers. They should ensure physical distancing among students in the bus/cab. They shall follow the required do's and don'ts related to COVID 19. School drivers/ conductors residing in containment zones shall not be allowed to board the vehicles.
iv. The drivers and attendants should be fully vaccinated (taken both the doses) against COVID-19, or should have been tested negative for COVID-19 through either RT-PCR or TrueNat or CBNAAT once in every 15 (fifteen) days.
5.3 Hygiene and Sanitation
i. Daily cleaning/sanitization of the floors shall be taken up.
ii. Provision of soap in toilets and hand sanitizers in other common areas insufficient quantity must be ensured.
iii. Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1% sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (door knobs, elevator buttons, handrails, chairs, benches, washroom fixtures, etc.) to be made mandatory in all classrooms, laboratories, lockers, parking areas, other common areas etc. before beginning of classes and at the end of the day.
iv. Teaching materials, computers, laptops, printers, shall be disinfected with 70% alcohol wipes.
v. Deep cleaning of all drinking and hand washing stations, washrooms and lavatories shall be ensured.
vi. Teachers and employees should be advised to dispose of used face covers/ masks in separate covered bins placed in classrooms, workstations and other common areas. The same may remain stored in the bins for 3 days and disposed of as dry general solid waste after cutting/shredding.
vii. Students should not be involved in any of the cleaning activities for health safety reasons.
6. Risk Communication
i. Create awareness to ensure that the students do not gather when leaving the school and in their free time.
ii. Sensitize students, parents, teachers and employees to create awareness on COVID appropriate behavior, as detailed under generic measures above.
iii. If a student, teacher or employee is sick, they should not come to the school and follow necessary protocols in this regard.
7. Psycho-social well-being
i. Ensure regular counseling is done for students and teachers reporting mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
ii. It is advisable that teachers, school counselors and school health workers should work in unison to ensure emotional safety of students.
8. SOP to be followed in case a child/teacher/employee develops symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty in breathing)
i. Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from other.
ii. Inform parents/guardians as the case may be.
iii. Patient will remain isolated while wearing a mask/face cover till such time they are examined by a doctor.
iv. Immediately inform the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) or call the State or District Helpline.
v. A risk assessment shall be undertaken by the District Task Force and accordingly further action be initiated regarding management of case, their contacts and need for disinfection. The management of cases and contacts will be done as per the existing protocol (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Fina IGuidaanceonManagementofCovidcasesversion2.pdf and https://ncdc.gov.in/showfile.php?lid=750
vi. If there are one or two cases reported, the disinfection procedure will be limited to places/areas occupied and visited by the patient in past 48 hours and work can be resumed after disinfection as per laid down protocol. In case of lager numbers of cases being reported at the school, the whole block or building, as the case may be, should be disinfected
9. Hostels for pre-primary sections, if existing in any school, will remain closed
10. Any violation of the provisions of the above SOP will attract action as per legal provisions against the management of the school/institution.
(DIPR)