DECISION

ON APPROVAL FOR HANDBOOK TO ENSURE SAFETY IN PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF COVID-19 EPIDEMIC IN SCHOOLS (AMENDED)

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Pursuant to Decree No. 123/2016/ND-CP dated September 1, 2016 of the Government on functions, tasks, entitlements, and organizational structure of Ministries and ministerial agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 69/2017/ND-CP dated May 25, 2017 of the Government on functions, tasks, entitlements, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

At the request of the Director of the Department of Physical Education;

HEREBY DECIDES:

Article 1. Approve the Handbook to ensure safety in prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic in schools (amended).

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Article 2. This Decision comes into force as of its date of signing.

Article 3. Chief Officer, Director of Department of Physical Education, Director of Department of Preschool Education, Director of Department of Primary Education, Director of Department of Secondary Education, Heads of relevant units of the Ministry of Education and Training; Directors of Departments of Education and Training of centrally-affiliated cities and provinces, Department of Education, Science and Technology of Bac Lieu shall implement this Decision./.

PP. MINISTER
DEPUTY MINISTER




Ngo Thi Minh

HANDBOOK

TO ENSURE SAFETY IN PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF COVID-19 EPIDEMIC IN SCHOOLS (AMENDED)
(Promulgated with Decision No. 406/QD-BGDDT dated January 27, 2022 of the Minister of Education and Training)

CONTENT DIRECTOR

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PARTICIPANTS IN THE COMPILATION AND CONTENT EDITING

PhD. Tran Van Lam, Vice Director of the Department of Physical Education, Ministry of Education and Training.

PhD. Nguyen Nho Huy, Vice Director of the Department of Physical Education, Ministry of Education and Training.

PhD. Dr. Duong Chi Nam, Vice Director of the Health Environment Management Agency, Ministry of Health.

Assoc. Prof. PhD. People’s Teacher. Nguyen Vo Ky Anh, Former Director of the Department of Physical Education, Ministry of Education and Training.

PhD. Dr. Le Van Tuan, Department of Physical Education, Ministry of Education and Training.

PhD. Dr. Bui Huu Toan, Health Environment Management Agency, Ministry of Health.

PhD. Dr. Hoang Thi Hai Van, Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University.

PhD. Dr. Tran Quynh Anh, Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University.

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INTRODUCTION

The outbreak of acute respiratory disease caused by a novel strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19) declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and this virus has now spread to most countries and regions worldwide.  In Vietnam, the risk of epidemic outbreak has always existed. Therefore, ensuring the safety for children, students, teachers, school managers, staff and workers at educational institutions is particularly significant, especially in the current period when there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for COVID-19.

Implementing Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 of the Government on “Thích ứng an toàn, linh hoạt, kiểm soát hiệu quả dịch COVID-19” (Safety, flexibility, and effective control of COVID-19 epidemic) provisional regulations, the Ministry of Education and Training develops the “Sổ tay đảm bảo an toàn phòng, chống dịch COVID-19 trong trường học” (Handbook to ensure safety in prevention and control of COVID-19 in schools) document on the basis of amendments from the handbook promulgated with Decision No. 3822/QD-BGDDT dated November 23, 2020, in order to ensure safety when organizing educational activities and direct training at educational institutions suitable for the COVID-19 epidemic development, contributing to the reduction of negative impact of the epidemic and maintenance of teaching and learning at educational institutions. This document provides the most basic, concise, and up-to-date content related to the prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic in schools according to general guidelines of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Training, and WHO (boarding schools for ethnic minorities have their own documents).

This document is completed in a short time, so inadequacies are inevitable. Therefore, we look forward to shares and comments on the content so that the document will continue to be amended and completed in the future.

EDITOR GROUP

1. General information about the COVID-19 epidemic

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On December 31, 2019, WHO was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan city, China. A novel coronavirus was identified as the causal agent of the disease on January 7, 2020; the disease is temporarily named acute respiratory infections caused by a novel strain of coronavirus 2019.

On February 11, 2020, WHO announced the official name for the disease that is COVID-19, in which "CO" is the abbreviation of the name of the Coronavirus, "VI" stands for the virus ( virus), “D” stands for disease, and 19 stands for 2019, the year when this novel strain was discovered.

A person diagnosed with COVID-19 is a suspect case or any case confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 at a laboratory authorized by the Ministry of Health.

1.2. Pathogen of COVID-19 - SAR-CoV-2 Virus

The causal agent of COVID-19 is the SARS-CoV-2 virus (formerly known as nCoV) which is a novel strain of coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans (Figure 1). Up to now, 6 coronavirus strains have been identified that can infect humans and SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh member.

Figure 1. Morphology and structure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus

(Source: Some Weird Truths About Viruses, And The COVID-19 Virus, Fobes)

1.3. Transmission of COVID-19

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a. SARS-CoV-2 spreads directly from person to person through droplets that a carrier coughs or breathes out from his nose or mouth. If you inhale or swallow droplets containing SARS-CoV-2, there is a risk of infection.  Up to this point, this form is considered the main route of transmission of the disease.

b. The SARS-CoV-2 virus infects healthy people by contact with objects that have SARS-CoV-2 on the surface.  Droplets produced by carriers when coughing, sneezing, breathing out fall on objects and surfaces nearby.  Others who touch these objects or surfaces and then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths are also at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

c. Aerosol transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus can occur when some droplets from the respiratory tract are produced with a microscopic size of less than 5µm, which can be produced when a people breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks. Aerosols carrying SARS-CoV-2 virus produced from infected people can infect others if inhaled in sufficient quantity to cause infection.

1.4. Symptoms of COVID-19

After infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus, symptoms of COVID-19 may appear within 2-14 days, on average 5 days, infected people may have the following symptoms:  Cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle pains, sore throat, loss of smell or taste (unknown reason), diarrhea, headache, and chest pain (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Possible symptoms of COVID-19

1.5. Handling and treatment of COVID-19

In an emergency such as severe shortness of breath, call 115 and report your symptoms.

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In treatment facilities, suspected patients and patients infected with SARS-COV-2 will be classified and their treatment places shall be identified depending on their specific situation.

1.6. Subjects at risk for COVID-19

COVID-19 can be acquired by anyone of any age.

The group at higher risk of infection and death due to SARS-CoV-2 infection is the elderly and people with combination of several chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, chronic kidney disease.

In addition, some occupations and jobs are at increased risk of exposure to disease sources, leading to increased risk of infection such as:  health workers, workers in highly exposed environments such as aviation workers, railway workers, operators of public transport, etc.

1.7. Measures to prevent COVID-19

Similar to other respiratory infections such as the flu or the common cold, preventive measures are very important to prevent yourself from the disease and slow the spread of disease in the community.  Facing new developments of the epidemic, the Ministry of Health has recommended measures to prevent and control COVID-19 epidemic in the new normal:

a. Regularly wash hands properly with soap under clean running water, or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) (Figure 3).

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b. Wear a mask properly in public, on public transport and to healthcare facilities (Figure 4, Figure 5).

Figure 4: How to properly wear a mask

(Source: Guidelines for selecting and using a mask in Decision No. 1444/QD-BYT dated March 29, 2020)

Figure 5: How to properly remove a mask

(Source: Guidelines for selecting and using a mask in Decision No. 1444/QD-BYT dated March 29, 2020)

c. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.  Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with a tissue, a cloth, or your elbow.

d. Increase mobility, maintain fitness, and keep proper nutrition, and build a healthy lifestyle.

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f. If you have any symptom of fever, cough, sneezing and shortness of breath, isolate yourself at home, wear a mask and call the nearest health facility for advice, examination and treatment.

1.8. Definition of confirmed case, suspect case, close contact (Official Dispatch No. 11042/BYT-DP dated December 29, 2021 on changes in case definition of COVID-19)

1.8.1. Surveillance case (suspected case) is one of the following cases:

- A person who is a close contact of a confirmed case (F1) and has at least two of the following clinical signs or symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, muscle or body aches, fatigue, chills, loss of taste or smell or a reduction in these senses, headache, diarrhea, dyspnea, difficulty breathing, and respiratory symptoms. A person who meets epidemiological criteria (excluding F1) and has at least 2 of the abovementioned clinical signs or symptoms.

- A person who has a positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT).

- A person who meets epidemiological criteria (excluding F1) which is a person who is present on the same means of transport or at the same place, event, workplace, class, etc. with a confirmed case (F0) during the infectious period of F0.

- A person residing in or coming from an active outbreak area.

1.8.2. Confirmed case (F0) is one of the following cases:

- A person who has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR (reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction) method.

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- A person showing clinical signs or symptoms of a suspected case (a suspected case that is F1 and has at least 2 of the clinical signs such as cough, fever with sore throat, etc.), having a positive SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDT, and meeting epidemiological criteria (excluding F1).

- A person who has a positive SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDT twice in a row (the 2^nd test result is given within 8 hours from time of obtaining the 1st positive test result) and meets epidemiological criteria (excluding F1).

Biologicals used in SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDT must be ones approved by the Ministry of Health. Ag-RDT must be performed by health officers or persons who meet suspected case criteria under either direct or indirect supervision of health officers.

1.8.3. Close contact (F1) is one of the following cases:

- A person who has direct physical contact such as shaking hands, hugging, kissing, direct skin-to-skin contact or body contact, etc. with a confirmed case (F0) during the infectious period of F0.

- A person who still wore a face mask while having contact or communicating within 2 meters, or in a narrow and closed space, with a confirmed case (F0) during the infectious period of F0 for at least 15 minutes.

- A person who did not wear a face mask while having close contact or communicating within 2 meters, or in a narrow and closed space, with a confirmed case (F0) during the infectious period of F0.

- A person providing medical care, examination and treatment directly for F0 during the infectious period of F0 without using adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).

The infectious period of F0 starts from 2 days before the onset of symptoms (or, for asymptomatic people, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date) until they are tested negative or have CT values ≥30.

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- If a case is detected in a school, the school shall cooperate with the authorities in taking the following measures:

Spray disinfectant solution containing 0.05% active chlorine.

+ Thoroughly clean and spray disinfectant solution containing 0.05% active chlorine where there is a risk of pollution.

+ Disinfect the workplace, canteens, and classrooms as recommended and directed by local health agencies if anyone at school shows fever, cough, shortness of breath, is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.

- Cooperate with local departments, unions, parents of students in implementing isolation activities in accordance with regulations.

2. Basic principles of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control at schools

2.1. Before students go to school

2.1.1. The school should advise students, teachers, school managers, staff, and workers to do the following before going to school:

- For preschool children, students:

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- For teachers, staff and school workers: it is necessary to comply and effectively implement the following regulations before students go to school:

a. Through electronic contact books or other communication systems (if any) to send information and instructions to students, parents the following:

Measures to protect health, monitor student health and practice personal hygiene measures at home, at school, on the way to school and on the way home according to student’s and parents’ to-do lists.

+ Request students, parents to check the temperature, symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath of students before going to school; if a student shows signs of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, the parents will have the student stay at home or the student will stay at home, inform the school immediately, and refer the student to the healthcare facility for examination, counseling and treatment.  Student will stay at home/parents will keep the student at home if the student is on home isolation as requested by the health agency (compulsory).

+ Inform students and parents about epidemic prevention measures that have been taken and will continue to be implemented at the school so that students and their parents can be assured.

+ Parents may not enter school premises during time of drop-off and pick-up of students.

b. Cooperate and liaise closely with parents to monitor student health. Cooperate with local health agencies in organizing COVID-19 vaccination for students in accordance with regulations.

c. The teachers will self-measure the temperature and monitor the health at home. If the teacher has fever, cough, or shortness of breath, he/she should actively notify the school and stay home to monitor his/her health and go to the healthcare facility for examination, consultation and treatment. The teacher is not allowed to go to school if he/she has been isolated at home at the request of health agency. Teachers, staff, and school workers must have COVID-19 vaccination under the guidance of health agencies.

2.1.2. Clean the school before students go to school

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- Organize a one-time school disinfection by spraying or wiping the floor, walls (if possible), doorknobs, stair handrails, handrails, tables and chairs, toys, learning materials and objects in classrooms, function rooms.  Disinfect with common detergents such as all-purpose cleaning solutions or disinfectants containing 0.05% active chlorine or solutions containing at least 60% alcohol, preferably disinfection by cleaning.

2.2. During the time students study at school

2.2.1. Organize, manage and implement activities on the basis of the guidance of the Ministry of Health on epidemic prevention and control

a. Do not organize activities requiring mass gathering, field trips, picnics, extra classes; flag salute is organized in the classroom. Stagger the beginning time, break time, end time between grades.

b. The school prescribes and guides students to follow the to-do things below (Figure 6):

Figure 6. Daily things students need to do at school to prevent and control COVID-19 epidemic and respiratory diseases.

- Wash your hands with clean water and soap often.  Wash hands: before entering class, before and after eating, after play time, break time, after going to the toilet, when hands are dirty, after coughing, sneezing, after cleaning surfaces.

- Cover your nose or mouth when you cough or sneeze (preferably with a clean tissue, cloth or handkerchief, or sleeve to reduce the spread of respiratory secretions).  Dispose of the used tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

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- Prepare cups/bottles of water, towels, hand towels, pillows, blankets, etc. for private use in class (if necessary).

- Do not share personal items such as cups, water bottles, face towels, hand towels, pillows, blankets,  etc.

- Do not spit indiscriminately.

- Wear a mask properly.

- Throw trash at the designated place.

- If fever, cough, or shortness of breath, notify the class head teacher immediately.

- Avoid stigmatizing, alienating or teasing your friends.

c. Every day, before starting a lesson, the teacher takes attendance and asks students if they have fever, cough, shortness of breath, or fatigue (for preschool kids, ask parents when the teacher receives the kid).  If so, the teacher immediately takes the student to the infirmary for inspection, monitoring, and timely actions.

d. During school time:

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- When teachers, school managers or staff have fever, cough, or shortness of breath, they must immediately go to the infirmary to be checked, monitored and isolated.  The school health worker shall immediately notify the commune health station, the governing body, and further provide health masks and instructions to properly wear them to the above-mentioned teachers, school managers and staff.

e. The school assigns people in charge during the drop-off and pick-up of student time at the school gate; the parents may not enter the school premises; security guards at the school and dormitory restricts unauthorized people from entering the school and dormitory premises.

2.2.2. The school’s cleaning and disinfection during the time students study at school

- Arrange a place for preparing disinfectant solution, storing chemicals, disinfection and environmental sanitation equipment. Disinfect with common detergents such as all-purpose cleaning solutions or disinfectants containing 0.05% active chlorine or solutions containing at least 60% alcohol, preferably disinfection by cleaning.

- Assign staff to prepare disinfectant solution, spray or wipe, disinfect, clean the school building, classrooms, school buses, etc. (if not hiring a disinfection service provider).

- Regularly organize cleaning and disinfection of floors, walls (if possible), furniture, toys, learning equipment and objects in classrooms and function rooms, doorknobs, stair handrails, handrails, and elevator buttons.

- Once a day, the school organizes cleaning, and disinfection of the hand washing area, the toilet.

- Limit the use of toys and learning equipment made of non-sterile materials.

- For means of student transportation:  Twice a day, after each trip of pick-up and drop-off of students, disinfect vehicle door handles, handrails, seats, windows, and the vehicle floor.

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- In the event that a student, teacher, or school manager or staff member has fever, cough, shortness of breath, is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, the school must perform disinfection as stated in recommendation and guidance from local health agencies.

- Check daily and promptly arrange sufficient and soap, hand sanitizers, and equipment for school sanitation.

- Limit the use of air conditioners in the classroom.  At the end of each class, the classroom door must be opened to create ventilation.

2.2.3. Supervise and monitor health issues of students at school

- Assign health workers/teachers-cum-health workers to prevent and control epidemic during the time students are at school.

- Ensure health workers/teachers-cum-health workers strictly follow the instructions on prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic at the school and things to do of health workers according to the list.

- Develop a plan to procure medical equipment for epidemic prevention and control, daily check, and promptly supplement medical equipment according to regulations at the infirmary.

- Regulate that health workers/teachers-cum-health-workers regularly contact the commune healthcare station or the local health agency according to regulations for guidance and support.

2.2.4. Communication work for disease prevention in schools

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- Provide training to ensure health workers/teachers-cum-health workers strictly follow the instructions on prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic at the school and things to do of health workers according to the list.

- The school informs school managers, teachers, staff and workers of the school to self-measure the temperature and monitor the health at home. If anybody has fever, cough, or shortness of breath, they should actively notify the school and stay home to monitor your health and go to the healthcare facility for examination, consultation and treatment. The manager, teacher, staff member or worker is not allowed to go to school if he/she has been isolated at home at the request of the health agency.

- Through electronic contact books or other communication systems (if any) to send information and instructions to students, parents the following:

+ Measures to protect health, monitor student health and practice personal hygiene measures at home, at school, on the way to school and on the way home.

+ Request students, parents to check the temperature, symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath of students before going to school; if a student shows signs of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, the parents will have the student stay at home or the student will stay at home, inform the school immediately, and refer the student to the healthcare facility for examination, counseling and treatment. Parents keep the student at home if the student is on home isolation as requested by the health agency (compulsory).

+ Inform students and parents about epidemic prevention measures that have been taken and will continue to be implemented at the school or dormitory so that students and their parents can be assured.

+ Parents may not enter school premises during time of drop-off and pick-up of students.

- Display leaflets, posters in visible places, make messages that can be texted through electronic contact books or other communication systems (if any) for students, parents about measures to prevent and control the epidemic such as personal hygiene, students' things to do, etc.

2.2.5. Monitoring

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- School/Steering Committee for epidemic prevention and control assigns managers to check and supervise teachers and health workers' implementation of the works under the “Những việc giáo viên cần làm tại trường để phòng tránh mắc bệnh COVID-19” (Things teachers need to do at school to prevent COVID-19) and “Những việc nhân viên y tế cần làm tại trường để phòng tránh mắc bệnh COVID-19” (Things health workers need to do at school to prevent COVID-19) list.

- School/Steering Committee for epidemic prevention and control assigns managers to inspect and supervise the implementation of sterilization and environmental sanitation of classrooms and school buildings, and means of student transportation.

- The Steering Committee for epidemic prevention and control compiles daily, weekly and monthly COVID-19 report on epidemic prevention and informs the School Board to know and promptly take further actions.

2.3. After students leave school

- Strictly enforce social distancing when exiting the school gate.

- Remind students to wear masks on the way home.

- The school maintains the cleaning and disinfection of school buildings and classrooms according to regulations.

- Check and promptly supply hand sanitizers, soap and other items for the next class sessions.

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3. Measures to ensure safe schools in epidemic prevention and control

3.1. Preparatory work of the school

3.1.1. Organizational work

- Establish a Steering Committee for the prevention and control of COVID-19 at the school, with the principal as the Head, health worker or teacher-cum-health-worker as the standing Deputy Head and members including representatives of the commune/ward health station or local health agency as prescribed, representative of the Student Parent Union and other relevant entities.

- Assign specific responsibilities to each member of the Steering Committee, teachers, school managers and staff.

- Assign the health worker or teacher-cum-health-worker to act as the contact point to advise the Principal, the Steering Committee for epidemic prevention and control in the development of plans and implementation, supervision of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control at school.

- Inform and request the entities that provide services for the school (food, cooking, transportation vehicles for students, food sale, environmental sanitation, etc.) to commit to provide safe service for epidemic prevention and control.

- Develop rules for cross-checking the implementation between classes, groups, etc.

- Prepare sufficient supply to ensure epidemic prevention requirements.

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3.1.2. For students

The school requests, supervises, and reminds students to strictly comply with the school's disease prevention rules according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health as mentioned above.

3.1.3. For teachers

The school requests, supervises and reminds teachers to strictly comply with the school's disease prevention rules according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health:

- Through electronic contact books or other communication systems (if any) to send information and instructions to students, parents the following:

Measures to protect health, monitor student health and practice personal hygiene measures at home, at school, on the way to school and on the way home according to student’s and parents’ to-do lists..

+ Request students, parents to check the temperature, symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath of students before going to school; if a student shows signs of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, the parents will have the student stay at home or the student will stay at home, inform the school immediately, and refer the student to the healthcare facility for examination, counseling and treatment. Student will stay at home/parents will keep the student at home if the student is on home isolation as requested by the health agency (compulsory).

+ Inform students and parents about epidemic prevention measures that have been taken and will continue to be implemented at the school so that students and their parents can be assured.

+ Guide parents to ensure safety in epidemic prevention and control during time of pick-up and drop-off of students.

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- Teachers will self-measure the temperature and monitor the health at home. If there are signs of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, they should actively notify the school and stay home to monitor their health and go to the healthcare facility for examination, consultation, and treatment.

- The teacher is not allowed to go to school if he/she has been isolated at home at the request of the health agency. Teachers must be fully vaccinated under the guidance of health agencies.

- At school, teachers need to regularly remind students to comply with regulations on epidemic prevention.

3.1.4. For health workers in the school

- Contact the commune/ward healthcare station or local health agency according to regulations for guidance and coordination to develop a plan and support the implementation of epidemic prevention and control at school.

- Advise the Principal to establish a Steering Committee for the prevention and control of COVID-19 at the school, with the principal as the Head, health worker or teacher-cum-health-worker as the standing Deputy Head and members including representatives of the commune/ward healthcare station or local health agency as prescribed, representative of the Student Parent Union and other relevant entities.

- Advise the Principal of the school to develop a plan and implement disinfection and environmental sanitation in school, ensuring physical facilities and equipment for environmental sanitation.

- Advise the Principal of the school to issue notices, commitment forms between service providers (food, cooking, means of student transportation, food sale, environmental sanitation, etc.) and the school to ensure the implementation of safe services for epidemic prevention and control.

- Advise the Principal to arrange an infirmary at the school with full medical equipment according to Joint-Circular No. 13/2016/TTLT-BYT-BGDDT dated May 22, 2016 on school health care and separate areas to isolate students, teachers, managers, or staff having cough, fever, shortness of breath (where necessary).

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- Cooperate with teachers in monitoring students' health, detecting and promptly handling cases of fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and making a monitoring book.

- When detecting a student, teacher, manager or staff member has fever, cough, or shortness of breath, immediately refer that person to the infirmary for inspection, monitoring, isolation and immediately notify the healthcare station of commune, governing body, and parents of that student.  The health worker must wear full personal protective equipment according to regulations and be responsible for providing medical masks, guiding the correct use of masks for the above people.

- Check and report to the School Board to promptly supply medical equipment according to regulations at the infirmary on a daily basis.

- Advise the Principal in assigning managers and teachers to urge, inspect, and supervise the COVID-19 prevention and control at school.

- Submit daily, weekly and monthly reports on COVID-19 epidemic prevention to the Principal/School Board.

3.1.5. For security guards in the school

- The security guard shall self-measure temperature and monitor health at home. If the security guard has fever, cough, or shortness of breath, he/she should actively notify the school and stay home to monitor health and go to the healthcare facility for examination, consultation and treatment. The security guard is not allowed to go to school if he/she has been isolated at home at the request of health agency.

- Restrict school entrance of parents and unauthorized people.            

- Do not allow students to leave school during school hours.

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+ Measure temperature, ask if they have fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If so, do not allow them to enter school premises.

+ Report to the School Board.

+ Write down the name, address of the workplace/residence, phone number, date and time of entry and exit, and the name of the school manager working with the guest; guide the guest to the right room to work and prevent the guest from entering other unnecessary areas.

+ Wear a mask properly when having contact with the guest.

+ Request the guest to wear a mask properly.

- Prevent students from gathering in the schoolyard.

- Remind students, teachers, and school managers to wear masks properly and not to spit or throw trash indiscriminately.

- When the security guard shows signs of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, he/she must immediately go to the infirmary to be checked, monitored, and promptly handled.

3.2. The school's response to suspect case in school

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- Take the suspect to a separate isolation area in the infirmary or the area arranged by the school. Limit contact with people around and avoid close contact less than 1 meter with other people.

- Health worker/teacher-cum-health-worker (hereinafter referred to as health worker) wears a medical mask, gloves, and medical uniform. Provide medical masks and instruct the suspect to properly wear the mask and promptly notify the health agency for further actions.

3.3. What to do when there is a student infected with COVID-19 the school

This plan is to actively prevent and control the epidemic at educational institutions according to the principle of controlling risks of infection, early detecting cases, isolating, and promptly zoning, preventing the spread of infection in the school; ensure a safe environment and flexible adaption in educational institutions and minimize interruption of teaching and learning activities.

Specifically, before organizing any activities, the school must develop plans to be ready to respond to epidemic situations; check physical facilities and equipment to ensure environmental sanitation in accordance with regulations, etc.

Students, managers, teachers, and staff of the school suspected of being infected with COVID-19 shall not come to school and immediately inform the educational institution and local health agency.

Staff of educational institutions must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be screened weekly for COVID-19 if they are in the group that is contraindicated from receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, or have recovered from COVID-19.

Request parents of students or persons who transport students to not enter the premises of the educational institutions during pick-up and drop-off of students when organizing direct activities. Ensure distancing requirements in classrooms and offices; limits activities with close contacts in classrooms; minimize contacts between classes in the same block, etc.

Students, managers, and staff must wear masks (except when eating); wearing masks is optional for preschool students.

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Step 1: Inform the Head of the Steering Committee for prevention and control of COVID-19 of the educational institution and parents of the student the COVID-19 positive result; continue to temporarily isolate the F0; notify the local healthcare station of measures to prevent and control the epidemic according to the guidance of health agencies.

Step 2: Evaluate the health of the F0, if there are signs of respiratory distress, tachypnea or shortness of breath, and SPO2 less than 96%, contact and transfer the F0 to a hospital with a COVID-19 department or unit in the same area or transfer the F0 to a field hospital by an ambulance.

If the F0 does not have any symptoms or has mild symptoms: advise and instruct the parents of the student to bring him/her home to be approached and handled by the local healthcare station in accordance with regulations.

Step 3: Immediately suspend the class to clean and disinfect the classroom and provide antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests for students and teachers present in the class (F1) (the combined sample must not exceed 3 people).

Other classes continue to operate normally.

Step 4: Isolate and monitor the F1 according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health (Official Dispatch No. 647/MP-VP dated November 16, 2021 on adjusting the medical isolation time for F1):

- Regarding people who have received the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (with the green card on the Electronic Health Book application or the certificate of full vaccination issued by a competent agency), the last dose of vaccine must be administered within the last 14 days and not exceeding 12 months, or such people have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 6 months at the moment of identification as F1 (with a hospital discharge certificate/certificate of recovery from COVID-19): Conduct medical isolation at home or lodging place for 7 days, continue to monitor their own health at home or lodging place for the next 7 days, and strictly comply with the 5K Rules; if there are signs of abnormal health such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste, etc. immediately inform the health agency for monitoring and handling according to regulations; conduct SARS-CoV-2 tests by single-sample RT-PCR method 3 times (1st time is at the start of the isolation, 2nd time is on the 3rd day, and 3rd time is on the 7th day).

- Regarding people who have yet to receive the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (with the yellow card on the Electronic Health Book application or the certificate of vaccination issued by a competent agency), the last dose of vaccine must be administered within the last 14 days at the moment of identification as F1: Conduct medical isolation for 10 days; continue to monitor their own health at home or lodging place for the next 7 days and always comply with the 5K Rules; if there are signs of abnormal health such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste, etc. immediately inform the health agency for monitoring and handling according to regulations; conduct SARS-CoV-2 tests by single-sample RT-PCR method 3 times (1st time is at the start of the isolation, 2nd time is on the 5th day, and 3rd time is on the 10th day).

- Regarding people who have not received COVID-19 vaccine: Conduct medical isolation for 14 days; continue to monitor their health at home or lodging place for the next 14 days and always comply with the 5K Rules; if there are signs of abnormal health such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste, etc. immediately inform the health agency for monitoring and handling according to regulations; conduct SARS-CoV-2 test by single-sample RT-PCR method 3 times (1st time is at the start of the isolation, 2nd time is on the 7th day, and 3rd time is on the 13th day).

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If 2 or more cases of F0 are detected within the same day in 2 different classrooms, immediately organize screening as follows:

If 2 classes are on the same floor, provide COVID-19 tests for students and teachers of all classes on that same floor.

If 2 classes are on the same floor, provide COVID-19 tests for students and teachers of all classes on that same floor.

If 2 classes are in different blocks and have epidemiological connections, provide COVID-19 tests for every student and teacher of the school.  If there is no epidemiological connection, handle only according to each classroom.

3.4. The preparatory work of the school for students to return to school for direct learning

In order to ensure safety when organizing educational activities and direct training at educational institutions suitable for the COVID-19 development in the spirit of Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 and according to guidelines of Steering Committees for COVID-19 prevention and control of local authorities, educational institutions shall organize the return of students for learning and strictly comply with measures to ensure safety and effectively control the COVID-19 epidemic according to the following regulations:

a) Before students go to school

- Develop educational plans, scenarios, and measures to be ready to respond to epidemic situations that arise during the organization of direct teaching suitable for the actual conditions of the epidemic in the surrounding area; develop teaching and learning plans suitable for cases where students have underlying diseases or difficult circumstances or live far away from their parents, etc.

- Ensure environmental sanitation for physical facilities and equipment, food safety, and school healthcare; pay attention to factors related to people with disabilities.

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- Request students, managers, teachers, and staff to monitor their health at home and wear masks on their way to the school.

- Clean and disinfect the school, classrooms, learning equipment, and means of transportation (if any) according to the guidance of health agencies.

- Complete the standing department for school healthcare work; arrange temporary isolation rooms and infirmaries according to regulations and effectively organize school psychology counseling.

b) When students go to school

- Ensure the drop-off and pick-up of students at the school entrance (parents/persons who transport students shall not enter the premises of the school).

- Clean hand washing areas, toilets, means of student transportation (if any) after each trip according to regulations; arrange trash cans with lids at appropriate positions.

- Organize psychological counseling activities; increase physical activities; educate skills; consolidate and compensate for knowledge before teaching new knowledge; group students to effectively support them for their first days of returning to school. Continue to increase positive factors of online teaching to support direct teaching; continue to teach the content of core programs according to the guidance of the Ministry of Education and training while soon developing appropriate plans for examinations and evaluation at the end of the school year.

- Check and promptly supplement soap, hand sanitizer, and other necessary equipment serving the epidemic prevention and control in order to prepare for the next learning session.

- School/Steering Committee/COVID-19 Safety Team of the school shall assign managers, conduct inspection and supervision of the epidemic prevention and control in accordance with regulations of Official Dispatch No. 6666/BYT-MT dated August 16, 2021 and Decision No. 4800/QD-BYT dated October 12, 2021 of the Ministry of Health on provisional guidelines on medical specialty for the implementation of Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP of the Government.

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- Ensure students, managers, teachers, and staff have appropriate distancing and wear masks when leaving the school for home.

- Ensure students are picked up at the school entrance (parents/relatives/persons who transport students are not allowed to enter the premises of the school).

REFERENCES

1. Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 of the Prime Minister on “Thích ứng an toàn, linh hoạt, kiểm soát hiệu quả dịch COVID-19” (Safety, flexibility, and effective control of COVID-19 epidemic) provisional regulations.

2. Official Dispatch No. 283/BGDDT-GDTC dated January 24, 2022 on the organization of direct teaching at educational institutions.

3. Official Dispatch No. 4726/BGDDT-GDTC dated October 19, 2021 on the organization of direct learning at educational institutions for the implementation of Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021 of the Government on “Thích ứng an toàn, linh hoạt, kiểm soát hiệu quả dịch COVID-19” (Safety, flexibility, and effective control of COVID-19 epidemic) provisional regulations.

4. Plan No. 895/KH-BGDDT dated September 9, 2021 on the work to ensure the safety of COVID-19 prevention and control of education authorities for the school year of 2021-2022.

5. Official Dispatch No. 11042/BYT-DP dated December 29, 2021 on changes in definition of COVID-19 cases.

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7. Decision No. 2566/QD-BGDDT dated September 9, 2020 on approval for handbook to ensure safety in COVID-19 prevention and control in schools;

8. Decision No. 3822/QD-BGDDT dated November 23, 2020 on approval of communication documents on COVID-19 prevention and control and medical work in schools.

9. Official Dispatch No. 647/MP-VP dated November 16, 2021 on adjusting the medical isolation time for F1.

10. Official Dispatch No. 8688/BYT-DP dated October 14, 2021 on COVID-19 vaccination for children from 12 - 17 years old.

11. Official Dispatch No. 6666/BYT-MT dated August 16, 2021 on guidelines on epidemic prevention and control at agencies and offices.

12. Official Dispatch No. 2234/BYT-MT dated April 21, 2020 on the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control at educational institutions.  

13. Official Dispatch No. 1244/BYT-MT dated March 13, 2020 on guidelines on handling of cases with cough, fever, shortness of breath in schools.

14. Directive No. 79/CT-BGDDT dated January 28, 2021 on some urgent measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic in educational institutions.

15. Plan No. 895/KH-BGDDT dated September 9, 2021 on the work to ensure the safety of COVID-19 prevention and control of education authorities for the school year of 2021-2022.

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17. Official Dispatch No. 1398/BGDDT-GDTC dated April 23, 2020 on guidelines on conditions to ensure the safety of students when they return to school and what do to when there are suspected cases of COVID-19 in schools.

18. Official Dispatch No. 239/BGDDT-GDTC dated January 22, 2020 on increasing the implementation of medical work in school and epidemic prevention and control during winter and spring. 

19. Official Dispatch No. 260/BGDDT-GDTC dated January 31, 2020 on prevention and control of acute respiratory infections caused by new strains of Coronavirus in schools.

20. Official Dispatch No. 265/BGDDT-GDTC dated February 1, 2020 on the implementation of Directive No. 06/CT-TTg dated January 31, 2020 of the Prime Minister.

21. Official Dispatch No. 269/BGDDT-GDTC dated February 3, 2020 on instructing students to leave school to prevent and control the nCoV epidemic.

22. Official Dispatch No. 460/BGDDT-GDTC dated February 13, 2020 on increasing measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic when students return to school.

23. Official Dispatch No. 550/BGDDT-GDTC dated February 25, 2020 on the implementation of measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic in schools.

24. Official Dispatch No. 696/BGDDT-GDTC dated March 4, 2020 on things to do to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic in schools.

25. Official Dispatch No. 975/BGDDT-GDTC dated March 18, 2020 on guidelines on what to do when students are suspected of COVID-19 infection or have signs of fever, cough, and shortness of breath in schools for local authorities and educational institutions.

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27. Official Dispatch No. 1467/BGDDT-GDTC dated April 28, 2020 on criteria for assessment of COVID-19 preparedness of schools.

28. Official Dispatch No. 1583/BGDDT-GDTC dated May 7, 2020 on the implementation of measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic at schools in the new normal.

29. Official Dispatch No. 96/KCB-DD&KSNK dated January 24, 2020 on prevention and control of acute lung disease infection caused by the new strain of Coronavirus (nCoV) in hospitals.

30. Official Dispatch No. 100/KCB-NV dated January 31, 2020 on management and treatment of patients with acute respiratory infections caused by nCoV.

31. Official Dispatch No. 476/MT-VP 2020 on the to-do list to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic in schools.

32. Cascella M, Rajnik M, Cuomo A, Dulebohn SC, Di Napoli R. Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus (COVID-19). In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2020. Accessed March 18, 2020. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554776/.

33. Cui J, Li F, Shi Z-L. Origin and evolution of pathogenic coronaviruses. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2019; 17(3): 181-192. doi: 10.1038/s41579-018-0118-9

34. The Vietnam Dietetic Association. A Guide to Preventive Nutrition for COVID-19. Labor Publishing House; 2020.

35. UNICEF. COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response; WASH and Infection Prevention and Control Measures in Schools. Published online March 25, 2020.

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37. WHO. Water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management for the COVID-19 virus. Published online March 2020.

38. WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidence: Early investigations. Accessed March 1, 2020. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/early-investigations.

39. WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidence: Infection prevention and control. Accessed March 1, 2020. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical- guidance/infection-prevention-and-control.

40. WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidence: Surveillance and case definitions. Accessed March 1, 2020. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical- guidance/surveillance-and-case-definitions.

41. Wu D, Wu T, Liu Q, Yang z. The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: what we know. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2020;0(0). doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.03.004.

Quyết định 406/QĐ-BGDĐT năm 2022 phê duyệt Sổ tay đảm bảo an toàn phòng, chống dịch COVID-19 trong trường học (sửa đổi, bổ sung) do Bộ trưởng Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo ban hành