20 November 2021 12:00 am Views - 91
By Sheain Fernandopulle
The approval for the final decision regarding the closure of a school due to any COVID related issue should be obtained from the Director-General of Health Services, according to a circular issued in this regard.
The directive has been issued by the Director-General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena himself through a special circular issued on November 18 to relevant officials including all Provincial, Regional Directors of Health Services, Medical Officers of Health and School Medical Officers.
According to the circular, the decision to close down a school should be taken only after a risk assessment by local health and school teams after consultation with relevant National level Health authorities.
However, the Health DG has categorically stated that his concurrence should be obtained for the final decision.
Apart from general guidelines, if children or the staff member become close contacts of a COVID patient outside the school, they have to be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days if the exposed person is vaccinated (21 days, if not vaccinated).
At the end of quarantine, exit PCR/RAT should be arranged according to current recommendations (only for individuals returning after 14 days- which will be arranged at the resident MOH area).
In addition, the circular underlines that if a quarantined child is required to sit for an essential exam, alternate arrangements should be made to sit for the examination.