Schools to reopen partially in Nagaland; SOP released

3. All schools (with classes 9 to 12) shall specifically ensure the following arrangements

• Online or distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
• Students of classes 9 to 12 shall be permitted to visit their school on voluntary basis for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to written consent of their parents or guardians. Such visits and teacher-student interaction must be organised in a staggered manner.

4.1 Before opening up of schools

A. Planning of reopening of schools.

• i. Schools outside the containment zones only shall be allowed to open. Further, students, teachers and employees living in containment zones will not be allowed to attend schools. Students, teachers and employees shall also be advised not to visit areas falling within containment zones.
• ii. Prior to resumption of activities, all work areas intended for teaching, demonstrations etc., including laboratories, other common utility areas shall be sanitised 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 partial functioning is resumed. Guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for disinfection of common public places including offices may be referred to in this regard.
• iv. The concerned teaching and non-teaching employees (up to 50 % of the strength) may be called to schools for online teaching/ tele-counselling and related work.
• v. Students from classes 9 to 12 will have the option of attending the classes remotely, virtually or physically only on a voluntary basis for guidance from their teachers subject to written permission of parent or guardian.
• vi. Instead of biometric attendance alternate arrangements for contactless attendance shall be made by the school administration.
• vii. At all times, the teachers and students shall maintain a physical distancing of 6 feet apart, wherever feasible. Scheduling of activities and seating plan shall be made accordingly.
• viii. Ensure Hand washing facilities along with provision of soap shall be ensured.
• ix. For ensuring queue management, inside and outside the premises, specific markings on the floor with a gap of six 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.).
• x. Weather permitting, outdoor spaces may be utilised for conducting teacher student interactions, keeping in view the safety and security of students and physical distancing protocols.
• xi. Assemblies, sports and events that can lead to overcrowding are strictly prohibited.
• xii. Schools should display State helpline numbers and also numbers of local health authorities etc. to teachers, students and employees to contact in case of any emergency.
• xiii. For air-conditioning, ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which emphasises 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.
• xiv. Lockers of students will remain in use, as long as physical distancing and regular disinfection is maintained.
• xv. Gymnasiums shall follow the provisions of the SOP released in August.
• xvi. Swimming Pool (wherever applicable) 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 frontline work requiring direct contact with the students.

iGOT online modules training course on 'basic awareness on Covid' (https://diksha.gov.inligot/explore-course/course/do _ 3130103 89971255296164) may be undertaken by all employee and students during online interactions or guidance sessions on the first day.

C. Availability and management of supplies

• i. Appropriate back-up stock of personal protection items like face covers and masks, visors, hand sanitisers etc. shall be made available by managements to teachers and employees.
• ii. Provide adequate supply of thermal guns, alcohol wipes or 1% sodium hypochlorite solutions and disposable paper towels, soap, IEC materials on Covid.
• 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.
• vi. Housekeeping employees to be informed and trained about norms for waste management and disposal

4.2 After opening of schools

A. At the entry point

• i. Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitiser dispenser) and thermal screening provisions. Multiple gates, separate gates, if feasible, should be used for entry and exit.
• ii. Only asymptomatic persons (teachers, employees and students) to be allowed in the premises. If a teacher, employee, student is found to be symptomatic, he or she should be referred to nearest health centre.
• 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 organised.
• v. Entry of visitors should be strictly regulated or restricted.

B. Conduct of guidance activities in the rooms or open spaces within the school campus

• i. Seating arrangement to ensure a distance of six feet between chairs desks etc.
• ii. Staggering of guidance activities to be done, with separate timings lots, 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 and guidance activities.
• iv. Sharing of items like notebook, pens, pencil, eraser, water bottle etc. amongst student should not be allowed.

C. Conduct of skill based training in workshops, laboratories

• i. For practical activities in laboratories maximum capacity per session based on redesigned spaces, may be planned and scheduled accordingly.
• ii. Ensure that the equipments have been disinfected, particularly the frequently touched surfaces before and after each use.
• iii. Ensure a floor area of 4m2per person is available for working on equipment, workstation.
• iv. Ensure that members sanitise their hands before and after using training equipment.

For such purpose hand sanitizer should be provided at workstations,simulation labs etc.

D. Activities in common areas - library, mess, canteen, common rooms, gymnasium etc.

• i. Physical distancing of six feet needs to be maintained.
• ii. Persons using the common areas need to use mask, face cover all the time.
• iii. Cafeteria, mess facility, if any within the premises, shall remain closed.

E. Transportation to and from the institution

If transportation facility is being managed by the school, proper physical distancing, sanitisation of buses, other transport vehicles (with 1 % sodium hypochlorite) shall be ensured.

4. Hygiene and Sanitation

• i. Daily cleaning 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. Students and employees should be advised to dispose of used face covers or masks in separate covered bins placed in classrooms, workstations and other common areas. The same may remain stored in the bins for three days and disposed of as dry general solid waste after cutting or shredding.
• vii. Students should not be involved in any of the cleaning activities for health safety reasons.

5. Risk Communication

• i. Create awareness to ensure the students do not gather when leaving the school and in their free time.
• ii. Sensitise students, parents, teachers and employees to create awareness on Covid appropriate behaviour, 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.

6. Psycho-social wellbeing

i. Ensure regular counselling is done for students and teachers reporting mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

ii. It is advisable that teachers, school counsellors and school health workers should work in unison to ensure emotional safety of students.

7. SOP to be followed in case a student, teacher, employee develops symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty in breathing)

• i. Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others. Inform parents or guardians as the case maybe.
• ii. Patient will remain isolated while wearing a mask, face cover till such time they are examined by a doctor.
• iii. Immediately inform the nearest medical facility (hospital, clinic) or call the State or District helpline.
• iv. A risk assessment shall be undertaken by the DTF and accordingly further action be initiated regarding management of case, their contacts and need for disinfection. Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if the person is found positive.

Any violation of the provisions of the above SOP will attract action as per legal provision against the management of the school or institution.