Hand washing facilities, sanitizer mandatory at all education institutions
View(s):All education institutions ranging from the Examinations Department to training colleges and schools were requested to install handwashing facilities or provide alcohol rub at the entranceto control the spread of Covid-19, the Education Ministry said.
The Ministry informed the Examinations Department Commissioner, the National Institute of Education Director General, the Education Publications Department Commissioner General, provincial and zonal education directors, heads of pirivenas and teacher training colleges and school principals to follow strict hygiene practices in their respective institutions.
The institutionswere also told to place waste paper paddle bins for the disposing of used tissues. They were also requested to avoid holding training programmes and seminars and discourage group gatherings until the pandemic is under control.
“If an employee, student or guest suffers from severe respiratory illness, they should not be allowed to enter the premises. All officials are instructed to make sure students, parents and employees who have returned from overseas go through proper quarantine restrictions,” EducationMinistry Secretary H.N.M. Chitrananda said.
Meanwhile area Medical Officers of Health and Public Health Inspectors are expected to educate officials, teachers, non-academic staff, students and their families on preventive measures and good hygiene practices,before government institutions and schools re-open.
“Though it is not compulsory for a healthy person to wear a face mask. If someone has symptoms of a cold or flu, then they should wear a mask,” Mr Chitrananda advised.
Students and parents were requested to avoid non-essential trips in the coming weeks, avoid touching wild animals, dead or sick animals, avoid handshakes and embraces, avoid shopping in crowded places, maintain a one metre social distance as much as possible, avoid close contact with those suffering from severe respiratory illnesses and wash hands frequently.
Education institutions were also requested to display posters published by Health Ministry on good hygiene practices, preventive measures etc.