Health Canada’s Guidance for Back to School

At present, symptoms currently associated with COVID-19 are similar to many common respiratory illnesses that may be circulating through schools/childcare settings. Key strategies to prevent and control respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, in schools and childcare settings are:

• For students/children and staff who are ill with fever and/or infectious respiratory symptoms to stay home from school/childcare
• The consistent practice of good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene
• To ensure regular and routine environmental cleaning of the facility

Hand hygiene

Washing hands with plain soap and water is recommended in schools and childcare settings. In instances where hand washing sinks are not available, supervised use of alcohol based hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol may be considered. It is recommended that in addition to existing sinks, increased numbers of hand sanitizing stations as well as tissues and waste receptacles be provided.

Schools and childcare centres should ensure:

• Additional tissue supplies and waste receptacles are made available.
• If alcohol based hand sanitizers are provided to supplement hand washing facilities, secured dispensers are to be located in supervised areas. 

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