(Des Moines) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced today, starting July 1, school districts and accredited nonpublic schools may begin offering all school activities.
The reopening involves the following health and safety requirements:
* Consistent with IDPH guidance and school policies, staff or students who are ill should stay home.
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that schools screen students and staff upon entering the building. One symptom is not necessarily indicative of infectious disease. Some individuals may be ill and have no symptoms.
* Teach and reinforce washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds following CDC guidance on when and how to wash your hands. If soap and water are not readily available, teach and reinforce the use of a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol (if applicable or age appropriate) using CDC guidance.
* Requiring face coverings for all staff and students is not recommended. Allow the personal use of cloth face coverings by staff and students. Teach and reinforce the prevention of stigma associated with the use or non-use of facial coverings to support a respectful, inclusive, and supportive school environment (CDC).
* Schools should protect the confidentiality of employees and students/families in their health who may or may not wear a face covering.
* Provide the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training for employees who have a medium- to high risk of exposure or as determined by their job-related tasks (OSHA Workplace Guidance, CDC). Teach and reinforce the prevention of stigma associated with the school personnel’s use of PPE to support a respectful, inclusive, and supportive work environment (CDC). Iowa Department of Education guidance should be viewed as advisory unless it’s specifically authorized by state statute, according to Iowa Code section 256.9A., and does not apply to administrative rules, declaratory orders, or materials required by federal law or courts.
* The words schools use when communicating matter. If a district is going to require more than what Department guidance outlines, they should only do so in consultation with public health and legal counsel. When not using the Department’s guidance word for word, they should indicate this was a locally-determined decision.
* Schools may not be able to guarantee that physical distancing can be met in all school settings throughout the entire school day, during school activities, or with transportation. This similar to when children congregate in their community. Schools need to implement preventative health changes that can be sustainable and done with fidelity. For example, have a plan if a student or staff member becomes sick; educate and encourage students and staff on a range of preventative health practices to reduce risks associated with infectious disease spread, and use your emergency operations plan for infectious disease outbreaks).
* Post signs on how to stop the spread of illness, properly wash hands, and promote everyday protective measures. Posters are available on the CDC and IDPH websites. Communicate with your school community on preventative health and safety measures while maintaining the confidentiality of students and staff. 10. Have a general framework for routine cleaning practices of facilities, high touch surface areas, cafeterias, concession stands, health offices, and buses following CDC guidance and any state or federal sanitation regulations. Schools must also adhere to the Department of Inspection and Appeals.
