The "Interim strategic indications for preparedness and readiness for the mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the context of educational services for children managed by local authorities, other public and private entities, and of public and private public or private preschools for the school year 2022-2023 ".
The document follows on from that dedicated to the schools of the first and second cycle of education, published in recent days, and has been developed, taking into consideration the didactic and educational peculiarities of childcare services. The indications have been defined by the Higher Institute of Health with the Ministries of Health and Education and with the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces.
The Indications are a useful tool for planning the activities of the coming months and propose, on the one hand, standard prevention measures for the beginning of the school year that take into account the current framework, and on the other, further interventions to be gradually modulated and activated. based on the risk assessment, the possible change in the epidemiological picture.
Basic preventive measures in place at the time of school resumption
The document identifies as possible basic preventive measures for school recovery:
- School stay allowed only without symptoms / fever and without diagnostic test for positive SARS-CoV-2;
- Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette;
- Use of respiratory protective equipment (FFP2) for personnel at risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19;
- Ordinary (periodic) and extraordinary sanitation in the presence of one or more confirmed cases;
- Tools for managing suspected / confirmed cases and contacts;
- Frequent air changes.
Possible additional measures, to be implemented individually or in combination
The document identifies further preventive measures as possible on the basis of any public health needs and changes in the epidemiological framework.
- Spacing of at least 1 meter between adults;
- Educational activities to be carried out by providing stable groups of children, compatibly with the available spaces and organizational potential, to minimize the opportunities for contact between children belonging to different groups;
- Use of the bathrooms by children controlled in such a way as to avoid crowding and the intersection between different groups;
- Avoid the promiscuous use of toys between children belonging to different groups. It is not allowed to bring objects or games from home into the activity spaces;
- Reception and reunification: where possible, organize the reception area outside; if in a closed environment, particular attention is paid to thorough cleaning and frequent and adequate ventilation of the space. Only one accompanying adult can access the facility;
- Periodic sanitation of all environments by preparing a well-defined time schedule, to be documented through a regularly updated register. The surfaces touched more frequently must be disinfected at least once a day;
- Outings and suspended external teaching activities;
- Use of surgical masks, or FFP2 type respiratory protection devices, in a static and / or dynamic position for anyone who enters or remains in the school premises (to be modulated in the different contexts and phases of school attendance), except for children;
- Use of FFP2 type respiratory protection devices for all school staff (to be modulated in the different contexts and phases of school attendance);
- Concession of gyms / clubs to third parties with the obligation of sanitization not charged to the school staff and at the conclusion of the activities on the day of use;
- Administration of meals in canteens by limiting as much as possible the promiscuity between children of different groups;
- Consumption of snacks in the same experience space dedicated to the group of children.
Glossary, what is meant by preparedness and readiness
Preparedness in public health emergencies includes all activities aimed at minimizing the risks posed by infectious diseases and mitigating their impact during a public health emergency, regardless of the extent of the event (local, regional, national, international). Planning, coordination, timely diagnosis, evaluation, investigation, response and communication skills are required during a public health emergency.
readiness
The World Health Organization defines readiness as the ability to respond in a timely and effective manner to emergencies / disasters by putting into practice the actions carried out in preparedness.