The Ondo State Government has approved the reopening of all schools in the state with effect from Monday, the Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, has said.
Fatusi announced this during a news briefing on COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday in Akure, saying there must be strict compliance with Covid-19 protocols by the schools.
He warned that any school that violated laid down guidelines for the prevention of the spread of the virus would be shut down.
“Schools must fully observe the guidelines regarding Covid-19 prevention. That means they must have an infrared thermometer to screen students.
“There must be provisions for handwashing and hand sanitizers and school management must ensure that sitting arrangements in classrooms comply fully with the COVID-19 protocols.
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“Schools must also have a guideline as to what to do when a child comes with temperature. Such a child is to be sent back home to receive treatment.
“Institutions should have inscriptions, such as “no mask, no entry” at their entrances.
“The responsibility of putting on masks has been shifted to students and parents.
“That means the mask should be worn by students before approaching the school. All these terms are non-negotiable,” he said.
According to Fatusi, the committee and its partners will also conduct periodic visits to schools and any school found in violation or below standard will be closed down.
He said the government decided to reopen schools after reviewing all the evidence on the state of the pandemic and observations of other states on school reopening.