The Ministry of Health has prepared a number of recommendations for a safe start to the new school year. Respiratory viruses are common in the cold season and can affect teams where children are engaged in educational activities, the Ministry of Health draws attention. Both the SARS-CoV-2 infection and influenza belong to the category of respiratory viruses that can cause complications, especially in people with certain co-morbidities (cardiovascular disease, lung disease, diabetes, etc.).

Prevention and control of respiratory infections are largely possible if a number of hygiene rules are observed, according to the Ministry of Health:

• hand hygiene: frequent hand washing and/or disinfection (before entering the classroom, before eating, after using the toilet, after coughing/sneezing when necessary);

• respiratory hygiene: coughing, sneezing into a disposable or elbow tissue, throwing the tissue into the trash immediately after use, washing/disinfecting hands after coughing/sneezing;

• hygiene in classrooms: frequent ventilation of classrooms (if possible, keep the windows open or ventilate for at least 10 minutes after each hour), cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and objects in educational blocks before the start of classes;

• avoid sharing personal items.

Reducing the transmission of respiratory viruses:

• wearing a mask in crowded, poorly ventilated closed spaces;

• maintaining a physical distance of at least 1.5 meters during classes, if possible;

• regularly informing parents that they should not send their child to school if symptoms of a respiratory virus or sore throat appear;

• teaching and non-teaching staff with respiratory symptoms will avoid entering the community;

• daily visual inspection of the students present in the classroom by the teaching staff during the first hour of class in order to identify a possible sick student with signs of fever/infectious disease (stuffy face, cough, etc.). .).

• in case of detection of a student with signs of an infectious respiratory disease, it is recommended to isolate him from the rest of the class and inform his parents so that he can be referred to a doctor and prescribed specific treatment;

• notification of school management, parents/teachers, in case of confirmation of a case of SARS-CoV-2 or flu.

Specific preventive and information measures:

• vaccination against COVID-19 and seasonal flu of students and employees of educational institutions who are entitled to it:

• conducting educational campaigns and informing students about the rules that must be followed for the prevention of respiratory diseases.

Organizational and logistical measures:

• placement in classrooms/prominent places of a stand with informational materials on ways to prevent respiratory diseases;

• provision of hand hygiene products (liquid soap, disinfectants and paper towels), as well as for cleaning and disinfecting classrooms;

• observing the rhythm of checking, cleaning and sanitizing air conditioners, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.