By: Ranjini K
September 22 2020
Students would be at risk of spreading the COVID-19 if they do not maintain social distancing, and if hygiene measures are not followed in schools.
Students would be at risk of spreading the COVID-19 if they do not maintain social distancing, and if hygiene measures are not followed in schools.Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Gujarat Education minister, said that the Unlock 4 guidelines clarify that ninth to twelfth standard classes would be reopened from September 2. Still, the final decision is left to the Indian state governments. He added further that there is a risk of transmission of the virus if they gather in one place, so it is not advisable to open the schools in the present situation. Some of India's states have reopened the schools as per the Centre's SOP guidelines that students can visit their schools for any guidance from the teachers with their parent's permission. Public Health England had examined data of around one million children who attended pre-school and primary school in England in June. It observed thirty outbreaks, in which seventy children and one hundred thirty-eight staff caught the virus. It was found that over two-thirds of the outbreaks were reported among staff. Child-to-child transmission only accounted for two cases. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in a study found that schools from mid-May onwards in many European countries have not been connected with the increase in community transmission. Very rare cases of transmission have been recognized in schools as per the above surveys. The risk of transmission in schools could have been low, but it is not completely eradicated. Measures must be adopted to minimize the risk. International Health Organization has also guided students in maintaining physical distancing, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, and respiratory hygiene to reduce the transmission. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.