While the coronavirus epidemic seems to slow down, the matter of returning to school is at the heart of the news. As confinement has shook up French’s habits, May 11th, 2020 will not be a return to normal life, including for schools.
But on what conditions could schools reopen in this epidemic context? This Thursday April 23, 2020, the National Academy of Medicine unveiled their recommendations on that matter. Ahead of reopening schools, the Academy says teachers and professionals should be trained on barrier gestures to be taught to children afterwards. Gatherings of parents at the end of school should also be avoided.
On a daily basis, washing hands with soap and water could also be systematic and supply of disposable paper hand towels to dry them. The Academy of Medicine also recommends hand-sanitizer distributors in the toilets, classrooms and at the entrance and exit of school. Among hygiene measures recommended, premises should be cleaned up and disinfected at least once a day and several times a day as for places often touched such as toilets, banister rails, tables, handles and teaching supports.
In order to make social distancing measures respected, the Academy of Medicine recommends to also fix hours for teachers so that they can welcome children in wave, to keep at least 1 meter between tables and breaks in small fixed groups.
It’s also said that a stock with enough anti-projection masks or non-surgical masks for adults and children from first grades should be kept and these protections should be worn during breaks and when leaving schools. Temperature will be checked regularly.
Official website
www.academie-medecine.fr
