The Federal Government, in its bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as more states fully reopen schools on Monday, has directed schools to conduct COVID-19 risk assessment every week.
The Federal Government, it was gathered, directed local and state governments to conduct monthly and quarterly COVID-19 risk assessment in schools respectively.
The Director-General Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, disclosed this on Thursday.
The assessment, according to the NCDC, will determine schools’ level of compliance with safety protocols including physical distancing, hand-washing and the use of face masks, whose violation can put students at risk of COVID-19.
Recall that schools across the country were shut in March as part of measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
At its press conference on September 3, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 recommended phased reopening of schools.
Following the PTF’s recommendation, states that have announced dates for reopening of their schools include Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Delta and Kogi States. States, where schools are resuming on Monday, include Lagos, Ekiti , Osun and Ogun.
Meanwhile, the NCDC DG, on Thursday, revealed that part of its responsibility was to work with all relevant stakeholders to strengthen the country’s capacity for early detection and response to COVID-19 cases.
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He stated:
We have also continued to educate the public on measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
We know that as the economy and society re-open gradually, we may record a spike in COVID-19 cases. We have reviewed the situation in other countries that have re-opened schools as well as guidance from WHO, UNICEF and other public health authorities.
There is lesser risk of COVID-19 cases in school settings, if schools carefully coordinate, plan and put the required safety measures in place before reopening.
We are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education, PTF-COVID-19, states and our partners to ensure that the required safety measures are in place to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on our schools.”
The PTF-COVID-19 and Federal Ministry of Education have mandated schools to conduct periodic (weekly) risk assessments. This is to review the gaps that may exist in reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread in schools, and tailor interventions to address these gaps. Local governments areas and states are to conduct monthly and quarterly risk assessment respectively.
In addition to this, schools are to set up school health teams including teachers and learners that would facilitate implementation of the safety protocols in schools. LGAs and States have been advised to set up multi-sectoral school health committees dedicated to supporting and monitoring the implementation of safety protocols in the school.