This is how the Primary Schools will operate from tomorrow - Detailed instructions

In the framework of reopening of primary schools and for the formation of conditions for the safe study of students, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth (Y.P.P.AN.), in collaboration with the Epidemiological Surveillance and Infection Control Unit of the Department of Medical Services and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health, has prepared the Health Protocol for primary schools.

The reopening of primary schools and the return of students will be done with the strict implementation of the Health Protocol, as part of the prevention and precautionary measures taken to tackle the new Koronovirus pandemic (COVID-19).

According to the Protocol on input and output from the School Area, the following are provided:

• The arrival of the children at the school and the departure from the school is done in a predetermined time and, where possible, from different entrances / exits, which have been set in advance, so that there is no overcrowding.
• The students go straight to the pre-determined classroom, which is known to the students of each group in advance.
• The teacher who performs childcare duties supervises the safe passage of students to the classrooms and ensures the observance of safety and distance measures.
• The teacher is inside the room and waiting for the students, he / she controls the opening of the windows, he / she takes care of the layout and the distance between the desks, which is at least one (1) meter.
• It is recommended that desks have a common orientation so that children's exposure to droplets from coughing or sneezing is reduced as much as possible.
• The teacher checks the number of students in his / her group, which should not exceed twelve (12).
• Each student releases his / her hands in antiseptic under the supervision of the teacher each time he / she enters / leaves the classroom. It is understood that overcrowding at the entrance / exit of the room should be avoided.
• The use of masks and gloves is optional, except in the cases specified in this Protocol.
• It is imperative that, from the first day of the reopening of the schools, there be a discussion / briefing between the teacher-children about the new conditions at the school as well as about the Individual Protection Measures and their importance in everyday life. The discussion is repeated at every opportunity as a reminder. If possible, the discussion / update can be done in advance online.
• Parents / guardians and / or other persons entering the school are strictly prohibited. In very exceptional and absolutely necessary cases and always after the approval of the School Management, another person may enter in addition to the employees and students in the school premises. It is understood that in the exceptional case where it will be judged that another person is required to enter the school premises, he must necessarily observe the safety and health measures in force.
• If it is deemed necessary for anyone other than the staff and children to enter the school, a strict entry diary and a detailed record of what they did, which places they visited and with whom they came in contact are strictly observed.

Teaching - Organization of the classroom

• In relation to the teaching and organization of the classroom, the following are provided:
• The number of children in each classroom / classroom should not exceed twelve (12). In those cases where it is necessary, for reasons of separation of the sections with 25 children, the maximum number of children in the room to be thirteen (13), this will be done strictly and only when it is possible to observe the indicated distances.
• The teaching takes place in the room designated for each department and group (A / B) and / or in an open space, provided that it meets specific safety and health measures and if it is informed and approved by the School Management or by the authorized / responsible a person appointed by the Directorate for this purpose.
• Each Student has his / her own desk and chair, which he / she uses daily and for the entire duration of the Apprenticeship. Students are not allowed to use the desk or chair of another classmate. Each student stays at his / her desk or in the designated area during the class.
• The arrangement of the desks and / or the way the children sit in the classroom or in the space to be determined is done in such a way that there is a distance of at least one (1) meter between the desks.
• The seats are placed on the left and right sides of the desks alternately so as to ensure the provided distance between the seated students. The teacher determines his / her travel distance within a radius of at least two (2) meters from the front desks.
• In the event that a teacher or other school assistant needs to approach a child, both the teacher and the child must take increased safety precautions (using a mask and / or gloves, keeping the maximum possible distance, and so on. .etc.) and this closer contact to have as little time as possible.
• The teacher reminds the students at every opportunity that the contact of the hands with the eyes, nose and mouth should be avoided, in order to reduce the risk of infection.
• The teacher points out and regularly reminds the students that in case of cough or sneezing, a tissue should be used or the nose and mouth should be covered with the sleeve at elbow height. It is recommended that students bring paper towels and antiseptics with them so that they do not move from their place. It is important that students are reminded of the correct way to wash their hands.
• Used tissues are discarded in a trash can and then thoroughly washed / disinfected by hand (either with soap and water or with the alcohol solution in the classroom or the child's analogue). The plastic bags of the bins, when filled, must be tightly tied and removed on a daily basis.
• Each child uses only their own materials and personal items (pencils, crayons, stripes, case, books, notebooks, etc.). The use of objects used by others is not allowed.
• The teacher shall take appropriate measures to protect both the student and himself / herself during the distribution or collection of educational material, e.g. worksheets, notebooks, books.
• The school's supervisory tools should only be used by the teacher. Before leaving for the break and before the students leave the room, the teacher reminds them about the safety measures that will be followed during the break.
• The teacher regularly reminds the students of a thorough hand washing, keeping a safe distance, etc.
• The teacher discreetly monitors the students and in case of symptoms, follows the relevant instructions of the Protocol.

Management of children with self-care difficulties

In the case of children with self-care difficulties, the general guidelines of the Ministry of Health (eg, observance of prescribed distances) are adjusted to meet the needs of these children. In these cases, special educators and school assistants must take and follow carefully the following hygiene and protection measures:

1 / Necessary use:

• surgical mask
• disposable gloves in combination with the use of a face shield or glasses
• waterproof long-sleeved disposable robe.

2/ After any direct contact of the teaching and support staff with any child, e.g. food, toilet or items that it has used, the gloves must be removed and discarded in the trash. Hands are washed thoroughly with soap. It is reminded that the use of gloves does not replace hand washing. If it is not possible to wash hands with soap and water, an alcohol solution> 60% may be used as an alternative.

3/ Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and objects touched or used by each child (chair, wheelchair, specialized seat, desk, toys, other aids and surfaces, handles, toilet, taps, etc.), as well as emergency cleaning when the surfaces soiled by body fluids (eg saliva, after coughing or sneezing).

Breaks

• Each school unit adjusts the Schedule so that there are different break zones and avoids Co-Students' outdoor congestion.
• The outdoor / school yard is separated, creating distinct spaces for the various sections and / or groups, so that there are separate spaces for the different groups and each group has its own space.
• The management of the school appoints the persons who will be responsible for the control of the observance of the distancing measures during the breaks.
• Children are monitored and checked during breaks both in the yard and in the toilet area, in order to observe the distancing measures and to avoid overcrowding. For this purpose, the Directorate of the school appoints the persons responsible for the observance of safety and health measures (eg entry of a limited number of children in the toilet area, placement of markings on the floor in case there is a wait, etc. ).
• During the movement of children in the school area, the prescribed safety distances are observed.
• After each visit to the toilet, wash your hands thoroughly with liquid soap for 20΄΄ (seconds) and carefully dry your hands with disposable paper towels, which will be disposed of in the trash cans inside the toilets. The plastic bags of the bins, when filled, must be tightly tied and removed on a daily basis. The number of students entering the toilet is checked to avoid their congestion in this area as much as possible. Avoid overcrowding and make markings on the floor in case there is a wait. It is noted that cleaners should make more frequent visits to the toilets, so that there are always available napkins and liquid soap.
• Before the start of the break and before taking food / water, children should thoroughly wash their hands with liquid soap and water for at least 20. (Seconds).
• The canteens will remain closed, so children should be informed to bring water and food from home. It is understood that parents / guardians should pay special attention so that the food that children bring to school is not altered due to weather conditions and that they are not required to be refrigerated.
• It is forbidden for children to drink water directly from the tap by mouth.
• At the end of the break and before the students enter the classrooms, the hands are disinfected with the antiseptic in the classroom or with the appropriate individual antiseptic that each child will have.

Hand washing and disinfection-Hygiene

• Installation of alcoholic solutions (with an alcohol content> 60%) MANDATORY at each entrance of a classroom / classroom or other common classrooms of the school. Mandatory and proper hand hygiene is recommended when entering and exiting it (including breaks). The container with the alcoholic solution should be located near the exit of the classroom and should be used under the supervision of the class teacher. It is recommended that the recommendations of the World Health Organization regarding the correct use of the alcoholic solution and the correct way of hand washing be posted inside and outside the classrooms / spaces.
• Continuous reminder of staff and students to avoid hugs and handshakes and to limit contact with other persons or touching objects, unless necessary.

Cleanliness, Hygiene and Spatial Ventilation

It is placed alcoholic solution (Alcohol content> 60%) at each entrance to the classroom / classroom or other common areas of the school. Proper hand hygiene must be ensured when entering and leaving the classroom (including breaks).

The container in the alcoholic solution should be close to the inlet / outlet of the classroom and to be used under the supervision of the class teacher. It is recommended that the recommendations of the World Health Organization regarding the proper use of alcoholic beverages be posted inside and outside the classrooms / classrooms.

The classrooms and the school in general are cleaned daily following the cleaning practices with emphasis on the following:

• Clean and meticulous cleaning and disinfection of frequently used surfaces (high touch surfaces) such as pools, desks, furniture, stair and railing handrails,
• fountains and especially the desks of the students, etc., in household cleaning chlorine solutions 10% (1 part household chlorine in 10 parts water). It is recommended that the space be adequately ventilated after using chlorine solution to reduce the risk of fumes. The above cleaning will be strictly controlled based on the above.
• Daily cleaning and disinfection of the toilet and the surfaces of the space 10 1% household chlorine cleaning detergents (10 part household chlorine in XNUMX parts water). When using the toilet, it is recommended to close the lid before using the float. Also hand cleaning BEFORE AND AFTER using the toilet.
• Daily floor cleaning. 10% household chlorine cleaning solutions (1 part household chlorine in 10 parts water).
• Systematic and adequate ventilation of all areas both during the lesson and during breaks.
• The cleaning work at the school is done in work uniforms and the use of gloves, which after their use, are discarded. The use of disposable gloves in no way replaces the hand washing that must be done after each cleaning job.

Presentation of symptoms

• If a student or teacher or other member of the school staff develops symptoms of a respiratory infection (cough, runny nose, etc.) and / or fever then he or she must stay home. The familiar environment (parents / guardians of the student) immediately communicates with the personal physician / pediatrician and informs the school management, in order to carry out all the necessary measures, which are determined by the protocols that apply to these issues.
• Parents / guardians become responsible for the thermometer and daily monitoring of any symptoms of children before they leave home.
• At school there are special thermometers for sampling thermometers of students in a different group of students each day, as well as for thermometers in case of fever.
• In case of a confirmed case in the school unit, the mechanisms of the Ministry of Health for the further appropriate actions are activated, according to the current protocols.
• In case the symptoms (respiratory infection, fever, etc.) occur during the presence in the school unit or a suspicious case is found in the school, the school crisis management team, which has been appointed to regulate safety and health issues in coronary conditions (as explained in the "School Units Schedule" section of this protocol) must take the following steps with calmness, serenity and respect for the personal data of the individual suspect, or that is a student whether they are a member of the staff and / or support staff.

Dealing with a suspected and confirmed case

In order to deal with a suspicious case in a school unit, the Directorate of each school will have to create a special crisis management team, which will undertake to manage these incidents (responsible and deputy).

The main symptoms of the disease COVID-19 is general malaise / fever, fever, cough, myalgia, myalgias, sore throat, diarrhea.

Students, teachers or other staff should not go to school if:

• they themselves have symptoms of disease COVID-19 and / or is a suspected case of coronavirus
• one of the people staying home together has symptoms COVID-19 or is a suspected case of coronavirus
• have contacted themselves in the last 14 days with a confirmed case of coronavirus are positive for the virus COVID-19

In such a case, the school should be informed immediately.  

1 / Management of a suspected case by a person who develops symptoms of coronary heart disease while at school:

• Placing a simple surgical mask in the suspected case.
• If it is a student, isolation in a special well-ventilated room that will be determined in advance until it is received by the school unit by the parents / guardians. In this area, the use of waste bins with a closed lid is recommended.
• The doctor's office should not be used as a host area for suspicious cases for COVID-19 but will continue to function as a place for the School Service and as a place to host children for other health problems (eg fainting, injury).
• Granting a mask to the parent / guardian when he / she arrives at the school, instructions to him / her for transporting him / her home by car, the student sitting in the back seat with an open window and contacting a pediatrician / Personal Doctor (with provided that these are mild cases, otherwise it is called 1420).
• After the child leaves the specific area, the space should be disinfected immediately based on the instructions of the Ministry of Health for disinfection of non-sanitary areas.
• If it is a matter of staff (adults), removal of the person from the school unit, referral to the home and direct communication with a Personal Doctor (PI adult or pediatrician) for monitoring and testing if necessary.
• Application of basic contact precautions and droplet precautions by the personnel involved in the management of the suspected incident (mask, gloves, proper hand hygiene).
• Communication of the Personal Doctor (PI adults or pediatrician) of the suspected incident with a Commentator.
• While waiting for the result, the student stays at home with a mask in a well-ventilated room, away from other people in the house.
• It is noted that in case the student came into close contact with a suspicious incident (strong suspicion) then the student still stays at his / her home waiting for the result of the laboratory test of the suspected case. In case the student came into close contact with an confirmed case, then the student stays at his / her home for 14 days under the care of his / her Personal Personnel.

2 / Management of a suspected case by a person who was in the school unit in the previous days:

• If a student or teacher or staff member is suspected of having a coronary heart disease, the other students should be informed of the importance of maintaining good hygiene until the test results.
• The rest of the students could continue their studies normally.
• If they develop symptoms themselves, they should not go to school and inform the school secretariat.

3 / Management of negative molecular test for coronavirus

• In this case, the adult or student will return to school at least 3 days after the fever has subsided and the symptoms have subsided.

4 / Management of a confirmed case by a person who was in the school unit in the previous days.

• In case a student is positive for the coronavirus (confirmed case) the Unit for Epidemiological Surveillance and Control of Infectious Diseases (MEE & ELN) will be informed immediately and the tracking procedures will be followed immediately for detection and further instructions will be given.
• MEE & ELN will inform the school unit, the Ministry of Education, the Health and School Services.
• The school should provide a list of names of students and teachers who will be considered close contacts, as well as a list of names of students or other school staff that will be considered close contacts.
• These individuals should be isolated for 14 days and subjected to molecular testing for coronavirus.
• The Ministry of Education and Science will proceed with the relevant actions to replace the teachers and to continue the education of the children from a distance at home.
• Upon the return of confirmed cases to the school (teacher, child or close contacts) they must provide a medical certificate that they are free of coronavirus.
• With regard to disinfection, the classroom and the places where the incident took place should be disinfected in cooperation with the Health Services and the School Ephorate, immediately after the confirmation of a positive incident.

It is noted that close contact is defined as staying in the same area with the confirmed case for more than 15 minutes and at a distance of less than two meters.

 

Scheduling of school units

Proper planning of all schools to be alert and prepared. A school crisis management team is appointed (3-5 people, where possible, headed by the Principal) who undertakes the planning, organization, coordination and supervision for the strict implementation of the Health Protocol on corona issues in the school unit.

The team is responsible for the following:

• Informing the rest of the teaching and non-teaching staff and students about the issues that arise in relation to the subject COVID-19.
• Informing staff about the symptoms of the infection by COVID-19.
• Implementation of Prevention and Protection Measures (who they are, how they are observed and who controls their observance on a daily basis and in which area).
• Informing the parents / guardians about the mode of operation and about the procedures that will be followed by the school unit in coronary conditions.
• Take advantage of other ways of communication when there is a need for any communication between the staff members, in order to ensure the observance of the indicated distances (by phone, online, when a meeting of more people is necessary, to be done in a large space, to be short and to observe distances).
• Procedures for the supervision and implementation of the Health Protocol and in general the protective and preventive measures are defined.
• Individuals are appointed who daily check the avoidance of overcrowding and the observance of distances in the break spaces, in the toilets, etc.
• Appropriate arrangements are made to ensure that all children are able to wash before the break and before eating.
• Announcements and appropriate markings are placed at prominent points of the school for the observance of physical and social distancing.
• The cleaning and disinfection of sanitary facilities is systematically planned and controlled. The Directorate, in collaboration with the School Ephorate, takes care of the adequacy of all consumables provided (cleaning products, liquid soap, antiseptics, napkins, garbage bags, etc.) and checks that the napkins are regularly replenished. soap and antiseptic.
• The systematic natural ventilation of the classrooms / teaching areas and the workplaces of the teachers is checked. It is recommended during the possible, continuous ventilation of the space. With regard to air conditioners and fans, the instructions of the Electromechanical Service (EMY) must be followed.
• Mechanisms for continuous information and monitoring of the instructions of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Health and other Competent Authorities regarding the prevention and treatment of cases are created. COVID-19.
• Close cooperation is sought with the school's commentator and / or health visitor on questions that may arise on a daily basis on the issues of infection with the new coronavirus.
• The action plan of the school unit is determined in case a student or a member of the teaching or non-teaching staff presents with suspicious symptoms or has been confirmed to be infected or has recovered from the COVID-19.
• A special isolation room is being prepared in case a student / staff member shows symptoms during his / her presence at school.
• Information is gathered about vulnerable groups of people among the students, the teaching and non-teaching staff of the school.
• Mechanisms for supporting (educational and emotional) students who belong to vulnerable groups and remain at home are being developed.
• Communication is sought with the school teacher or psychologist for psychosocial support and stress management, which may be presented by students and / or staff members.
• The layout of the furniture in the hall of the Teachers' Association is being adjusted, in order to observe the distancing measures between the staff members.

Operation of Single and Optional All-Day Schools

• In addition to the implementation of all the provisions of this protocol, during the operation of the Unified and Optional All-Day Schools, the following must be observed:
• Prior to the operation of the afternoon zone, all surfaces (desks, knobs, furniture, desks, desks, chairs, etc.) that will be used in case of room use by a different group of children or room change should be disinfected / cleaned. To facilitate the disinfection process, the program will be differentiated so that it starts with a break, with supervision of the children, and after the break the feeding follows.
• In cases where feeding takes place in a classroom, it must first be cleaned.
• For the purpose of feeding the students in the All-Day Schools, the following measures should be taken: -The food will be given to the children in individual - closed disposable packages. The same goes for cutlery and glasses. -The Advisory Committee in the Single All-Day and the Parents' Association in the Optional All-Day Schools must be certified in compliance with the relevant standards / instructions / regulations for the supply, preparation, serving and transport of food to be offered to children. -In no case is the sharing of trays, dishes, glasses, etc. allowed. for food purposes, while food scraps / leftovers will be disposed of in a closed bin. -The feeding will take place in a room, which will have been properly disinfected beforehand and all the rules of hygiene will be observed, as well as the rules regarding the distances between the children and the teachers, as provided during the morning period. study (eg meticulous hand washing, safety distances, etc.).

It is pointed out that during the afternoon operation of the All-Day Schools, all the teachers, headed by the Principal of the All-Day School, and in collaboration with the School Staff, take care to implement all the provisions of the present. protocol.

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