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Schools, colleges and universities to reopen in July

National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has revealed plans to reopen schools, colleges and universities in July.

Speaking at the daily press briefing held at the NEOC, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Health Aminath Shaina Abdulla said the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is collaborating with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education to reopen schools, colleges and universities which have been closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shaina said the plan is to reopen all educational institutions in July, after imposing special measures for the safety of students, teachers and staff. As such, she said efforts are underway to formulate the safety guidelines and raise awareness before reopening.

Ministry of Education has already instructed schools to begin preparations for reopening. The ministry has prepared a safety guideline to be followed in schools to ensure physical distancing and personal hygiene in order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

The guideline states any student, teacher or staff who carries a risk of COVID-19 cannot attend school. Schools are required to gather the necessary information to check if any student, staff or a family member of a student or staff have tested positive for COVID-19 or had been quarantined.

The guideline also states schools must coordinate with parents to ensure all students have face masks. All students and staff are required to wear masks at all times when inside the school, although exceptions can be made for children under the age of 2 or students who have asthma. The masks can be disposable masks or cloth masks.

The guideline further states seating arrangements in classes must ensure there is a distance of at least 3 feet between each student. Physical distancing measures must be imposed in all parts of the schools using marks and signs, while regular disinfection must take place in the schools.