COVID-19 Prevention in Autumn 2020
Although the COVID-19 epidemic situation in China has eased considerably, Dulwich International High School Suzhou has not relaxed its vigilance. For the safety of students, the school still insists on implementing a series of epidemic prevention and control measures, so that parents can rest assured and students can live and study safely on campus.
1 Body temperature measurement before entering school
Since the beginning of school on August 17, the school requires every student to submit a daily health survey. As required by Suzhou Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Suzhou Education Bureau, students found with a fever of 37.3℃ or higher (using a mercury thermometer) are required to visit government-designated fever clinics to rule out COVID-19. Students will only be allowed to return to school after being fever-free for 48 hours (without relying on fever medication) and having submitted an official doctor’s diagnosis.
Every day before entering school, students have their temperatures taken by their boarding tutor before getting on the school bus. Those whose body temperature exceeds 37.3°C are not allowed to ride the school bus. All teachers and students must wear masks on the school bus.
Employees who drive to work will be required to enter the campus from entrance 302 (see the picture below). After parking the car, they enter the building through the designated coffee bar entrance and have their temperature taken. Employees riding to work on bicycles, buses or taxis enter the Fangzhong Street entrance, and their temperature will be taken by the security guard. The employees of the outsourcing company will have their temperature taken at the door by the security guard. Visitors must show their Green QR Code, wear a mask, and have their temperature taken. If the temperature exceeds 37.3, they must report to the nurse immediately who will take appropriate action.
2 Social distancing and cleanliness after entering school
After entering the campus, whether in the library, restaurant, or lecture theatre, the school requires teachers and students to maintain social distancing of a minimum of 1 meter everywhere. The tutor will take the temperature of each student in the morning. During lunchtime, the parent liaison and tutor will be responsible for the temperature measurement of the students in each year group.
In order to prevent crowding, the school implements a staggered dining system, with 2 people per table with 10 cm between the two tables. The mealtime for each batch of students is staggered by 20 minutes. All personnel must wash their hands before entering the restaurant. Staff are on duty to ensure each student washes their hands properly. They also take temperatures of students and staff entering the restaurant. The hand-washing station is equipped with hand sanitizer. After the meal, students must wash their hands again. The restaurant is equipped with a face mask disposal box.
All restaurant service personnel always wear masks, headgear and protective gloves. The school has reduced the variety of choices available to decrease queuing time for teachers and students. The objective is to streamline the process to ensure a maximum of a 20-minute mealtime per person.
For boarding students, temperature measurements will also be taken during evening self-study. In the boarding house, students must keep their rooms clean, hygienic and well ventilated. If a fever is found, the student will be isolated and the temperature will be checked by a nurse. If the fever is confirmed, the student will be sent to the hospital for treatment.
3 The Different Aspects of Infection Prevention Procedures
In order to protect the health of teachers and students, the school advocates wearing masks at specific times, washing hands frequently, and avoiding large gatherings. It has placed or posted epidemic prevention posters throughout the campus. Every member of the Dulwich community works together to fight the threat of infection.
Below are some of the guidelines for back to school students given by the China branch of the World Health Organization, let’s take a look:
1 COVID-19 still has not gone away, it’s not safe to hug or high five with our friends. Saying hello without touching is cool! Be aware of keeping social distance.
2 Please wash your hands frequently, before meals, after going to the bathroom and after doing sports. Wash for no less than 20 seconds.
3 When sneezing and coughing, please use the inner side of your elbow to cover your mouth and nose, it is a simple move but can keep you and others from getting sick.
4 Please keep your hands clean, and don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands are not clean.
5 We cannot share food and drinks, or cups and utensils since it is a way of transmitting a virus.
6 Please share what you’ve learned about COVID-19 with your friends, keep each other healthy and safe, you can help to protect each other.
7 Please don’t laugh at your friends if they get sick, anyone can get sick, so be nice to each other.
8 If you don’t feel well, or you are upset or worried, please talk to a teacher immediately.