Under strict public health protocols schools reopen in Iran in September 2020 amid COVID-19 pandemic

All educational centers in Iran were closed from late February. With no end in sight for the Covid-19 outbreak, schools in Iran reopened on September 16, after almost three months of closures. According to the latest decisions announced by Iran’s coronavirus taskforce, students have returned to classrooms for the start of the new school year in September this year.

Report from: Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Vice Chancellery for Health
Published on: 8 September 2020

All educational centers in Iran were closed from late February 2020. With no end in sight for the Covid-19 outbreak, schools in Iran reopened on September 16, after almost three months of closures. According to the latest decisions announced by Iran"s coronavirus taskforce, students have returned to classrooms for the start of the new school year in September this year.

Over 15 million students attended schools nationwide under strict health protocols to protect teachers, staff, and students against the coronavirus pandemic. This year, education is followed in three forms of in-person, virtual, and television-based, but our priority is school attendance, all schools should strictly follow the health regulations so that the students are protected. Maintaining a shorter duration for classes, the students will sit 35 minutes in each class.

Monitoring the implementation of and adherence to recommended public health measures in the context of COVID-19

Health experts have called on schools to guarantee they have enough personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and face shields, for students and teachers; cleaning supplies; and other safety materials, including plastic barriers, the costs of which can add up. To mitigate the challenges of reopening, schools in Iran have been strictly asked to implement many precautions, including the following:

Hygiene and environmental cleaning to limit exposure: Schools have been asked to educate everyone in the school about COVID-19 prevention; this includes appropriate and frequent hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, mask use if mandated, symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if you feel sick.

Wearing masks: Schools have been urged to develop a school policy on wearing a mask or a face covering in line with national guidance. If a child or school staff is sick, she/he should not come to school. Provide sufficient medical masks for those who need it, such as school nurses and children with symptoms. Researchers have shown that wearing masks can significantly decrease the chances of infection. Many schools have required students and faculty to wear masks while in the classroom.

Physical distancing at school: Schools have been asked to maintain a distance of at least 1 meter between everyone present at school by increasing the distance between desks, and closing group spaces.

Decreasing capacity: Experts have suggested limiting class sizes to only a dozen students to reduce social contact. To address this, some schools have tried staggered schedules in which some students come to school on Mondays and Thursdays and others come on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Limit mixing of classes for school and after-school activities: For example, students in a class will stay in one classroom throughout the day, while teachers move between classrooms; or classes could use different entrances, if available, or establish an order for each class to enter and leave the building/classroom.

Screening and management of sick students, teachers and other school staff: Schools should enforce the policy of "staying at home if unwell" for students, teachers or school staff with symptoms. If possible, connect with local organizations to provide home care support and ensure communication between home and school.