UNESCO, UNICEF and WHO issue considerations for school-related public health measures in the context of COVID-19

UNESCO, UNICEF and WHO have today issued considerations for school-related public health measures in the context of COVID-19.

The updated advice for policymakers and educators on running schools as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, looks at risk-based approaches for school operations, based on the level and intensity of transmission rates at lower schooling levels; age-appropriate considerations for measures such as physical distancing and masks in schools; and other measures to mitigate against COVID-19 in schools.

At the forefront of all considerations and decisions should be the continuity of education for children for their overall well-being, health and safety.

This is an annex to the WHO Public Health and Social Measures in the context of COVID-19 replacing an earlier version published by the WHO on 10 May 2020, and applies to educational settings for children under the age of 18 years.

Specific recommended measures in this updated advice include staggering the times for school opening, closing, mealtimes and breaks; handwashing facilities; cleaning of surfaces and shared objects; and establishing mechanisms to share information with parents, students and teachers.