SAFE OPERATIONS

Guidelines on Safe Reopening

Source: DepEd and DOH Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01 s. 2021
A. Managing School Operations

I. Preparation for School Opening

1. In preparation for school reopening, the school shall set up the ff:
a. physical structures
b. WASH Facilities
c. Personal Protective Equipment
d. health and safety protocols
e. learning materials
f. class programs
g. human resource equipment
( In accordance with these guidelines and the DOH AO No. 2021-0043)
2. The school shall involve the community in the school reopening process to
shape the perceptions of risks and effectively respond on the health crises
through localized efforts.

3. The school shall adjust class programs according to their Alternative Work
Arrangements (AWA) and conduct an orientation of teaching personnel on
possible changes in their AWA.

4. The school shall orient learners, parents, guardians, teaching and non teaching
personnel, external stakeholders and LGU of the eligibility for participation,
existing protocols, mechanisms and procedures needed in conducting face to
face classes.
5. The school shall screen the vaccination records of the children.
6. Prior to the opening the school shall conduct simulation activities.
7. All persons shall wear well-fitted face masks and appropriate PPE
especially in public places and enclosed spaces.
II. Classroom Layout and Structure
1. Proper arrangement on prescribed classroom layout (Annex D). Ensure the
proper physical distancing (1-2 meters apart), if not occupied seats marked
with an “X”.
2. Required maximum numbers of learners per class.
Grade Level Required maximum number of learners per class

Kindergarten maximum of 12 learners in a class

Grades 1-3 maximum of 16 learners in a class

Grades 4-6 maximum of 20 learners in a class

Grades 7-10 maximum of 20 learners in a class

Grades 11-12 maximum of 20 learners in a class

TVL workshop and science laboratory maximum of 12 learners in workshop or laboratory

3. If the classroom does not have adequate space to enforce 1-2 meter
distance, the school may used
a. larger spaces such as gymnasium, school grounds and the like
b. Available learnings in community near the school or residential area of
the learners and teachers.
4. Providing of microphones or any other appropriate sound system for
teachers.
5. All (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) HVAC systems should working
in order. See DOLE Department Order No.224-21 Guidelines on Ventilation
for Workplaces and Public Transport to Prevent and Control the Spread of
COVID-19.
III. School Traffic Management
1. a. Establish safe entrance and exit and contact tracing procedures for all
those entering of schools.
b. Drop off and pick up points shall be clearly identified and marked
c. Separate Entry and Exit points in high traffic areas with signages and
markers for cueing and unidirectional movement.
2. Putting if signages preferably in local languages and Braille
a. School map at the front of gate
b. Designated entrance and exit
c. Designated waiting area. Limit 1 person allowed to fetch per learner.
d. Hallway ground markings
e. Areas with limited physical capacity (e.g. restrooms, library and admin offices)
3. Authorized visitors shall schedule an appointment.
 IV. Protective measures, hygiene and sanitation practices and respiratory
etiquette.
1. Availability of WASH Facilities.

Andres Soriano Memorial Elementary School- Roxas

WASH facilities should be in strategic areas.

Reservation ES- Quezon Calitang ES- El Nido

WASH facilities should be in strategic areas.

Manamoc ES-Cuyo
Availability of toothbrush, tooth paste, bar soap for K-6 Learners.
Inclusion in class program of handwashing and toothbrushing drills.

RNCHS
2. Hygienic Supplies and Health Kits
3. PPE Requirement Depending on the Type of Activity

Triage and Caring for

screening suspected/
confirmed
cases and
transporting
4. IEC Materials
5. The school shall provide a daily health monitoring tools for learners and school staff.
(See Template of Annex E: COVID-19 Monitoring) Link: https://bit.ly/JMCPilotF2FAnnexes
6. The school shall be mobilize the School COVID-19 Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Team to ensure that health and safety
are in place and are observed during the preparation and
implementation of face to face.
7. The School DRRM Team shall also designate a Safety Officer who
shall serve as the focal person for the health and safety protocols
of the school.
V. School disinfection, sanitation and waste management.
The school shall follow DOH DM No. 2020-0157 entitled “Guidelines on
Cleaning and Disinfection in Various Settings as an Infection Prevention and
Control Measure against COVID-19” and Cleaning and Disinfection of
Environmental surfaces in the Context of COVID-19 by the WHO.
1. The school shall ensure proper disposal of infectious wastes, such as used
tissue and masks, in non-contact receptacles.
2. Dispose all used PPE in a separate leak-proof yellow trash bag/container with
a cover properly labelled as "USED PPE”.
3. Collect the leak-proof yellow trash bag/container regularly or twice a day
(after end of class and after working day) from designated/specific area to the
general collection area for treatment and disposal.
4. Require the school personnel to wear a medical-grade face mask and
puncture-proof gloves when collecting/handling the leak­ proof yellow trash
bag/container
5. Treatment through disinfection or spraying of the collected wastes with a
chlorine solution (1:10) in accordance with DOH DM No. 2020-0157.
6. Misting tent and chambers is not recommended by the Phil. COVID-19
Living Clinical Practice Guidelines.
7. Disposal of the disinfected PPE with the general waste to the final disposal
facility.
8. Routine sanitation of frequently touched surfaces every after end of school
shift.
9. Place trash bins in strategic locations with proper visual signages.
10. Students shall be responsible for disposing of their own used items (i.e.
food, mask).

11. Students shall be assigned to their own desks/armchairs during classes.

They shall disinfect their own tables before and after use. Disinfection team
shall be on standby within the school premises.

12. Students, teachers and other employees shall be disallowed from sharing
school items such as but not limited to textbooks and toys. Outputs (e.g.
quiz papers) to be submitted by the learners shall be placed in a sterilization
box for disinfection. Likewise, outputs shall also be disinfected before the
return to students.
10. School administration shall be responsible for stockpiling of disinfectants
and soap, ensuring adequate water supply, and hand sanitizers in
classrooms and hallways.

11. The school shall ensure availability of hand soaps/hand- sanitizers/alcohol-

based solutions/other disinfectants in restrooms, classrooms, entrances,
etc. by doing routine monitoring and replacement/replenishment if
needed.

12. The School DRRM Team shall also ensure that necessary disinfection
activities are conducted especially in the areas of the school frequented by
personnel or learners that tested positive.
13. Disinfectants that are approved by the Philippine Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
a. Sodium Hypochlorite (0.1%)
Regular disinfection
Chlorine: Water (1/2 tsp or 2 grams: 2 liters of clean water)

Sodium Hypochlorite (0.5%)

Body Fluids
Chlorine: Water (1 tbsp or 10 grams: 2 liters of clean water)

b. Ethanol in all surfaces recommended ratio of 70-90%.

c. Hydrogen peroxide of less than 0.5%.

VI. Communication Strategy

1. The school shall have proactive COVID-19 local hotline/help desk or any
similar local mechanism that connects and coordinates to the hospital,
testing facilities and LGU’s.

2. Advisers shall keep a database of contact details including contact number

and address of parents or guardians of the students in their class advisory
subject to compliance with RA 10173 or the Data Privacy Act.

3. For further information on the referral system, kindly refer to Section 7.4 of
these guidelines.
VII. Contingency Plan
1. The school shall follow a decision model and prepare a contingency plan for
closing and reopening the school in case of COVID-19 resurgence. (See OM-
OSEC- 2021-002 “School Manual Contingency Plan for the Implementation
of Limited Face to Face Classes”.)

2. The contingency plan shall include the following:

i. Decision points for school lockdown;
ii. Distance learning modalities during lockdown; and
iii. Strategies for the reopening of schools after the lockdown.

3. The contingency plan shall also include strategies for the continuity of
learning while the school is closed until the local authorities have
determined the safe resumption of face-to-face classes.
VIII. School Lockdown and Reopening

1. The declaration of a school lockdown shall be dependent on the

assessment and decision of the Local Task Force against COVID-19 (LTF),
with the following considerations:
a. When there is a suspect, probable, or confirmed COVID- 19 case to
facilitate disinfection and contact tracing
b. Dependent on community transmission and quarantine risk identified by
IATF;
c. Violations/instances of not complying with minimum public health
standards or PDITR (Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat and Reintegrate) for
review of protocols.
2. In the event of school lockdown, all learners shall revert to distance learning.
3. During the lockdown, school management shall ensure contact tracing and
disinfection activities. Schools shall implement a 24-hour granular lockdown period
for disinfection following identification / detection of suspect, probable, or
confirmed COVID-19 confirmed easels, only after which can it be opened for use to
occupants.
4. The following shall be considered for reopening after a school lockdown:
i. Completed contact tracing;
ii. Completed disinfection activities;
iii. 14 days without confirmed cases in the school;
iv. School is in a barangay with low to no community transmission; and
v. Area where the school is located is classified as minimal-risk.

5. Upon reopening, the school shall conduct re-orientation on current measures

adapted to evolving situations in the event of resurgences
3. The school shall ensure that health personnel or designated clinic teacher(s)
are physically present at the school clinic every day that the school will open
to learners for face-to-face classes.
4. The school shall conduct orientation to the parents/guardians and school
personnel regarding :
i. Safe drop-off and pick-up procedures;
ii. Safety precautions and preventive measures while commuting
iii. Safety precautions and preventive measures upon entering school
premises.
vi. Learner’s practice of hygiene upon arriving at home from school and
vice versa.
v. Reporting and coordination with school personnel and local health
authorities regarding the health status of their children.
B. Home-School Coordination
To effectively manage the coordination between home and school, and other
stakeholders, the following shall be taken into account:

1. The school shall coordinate with the Barangay Health Emergency Response
Team (BHERT) of the Local Government Unit (LGU) in ensuring health
protocols are observed properly.

2. The school shall ensure that Preventive Alert-System in Schools (PASS) for
COVID-19, per DepEd Memorandum No. 15, s: 2020, is operationalized. This
means that the teacher shall ensure that health inspection is routinely
conducted during the conduct of the face-to-face classes.
 Actual Scenarios in Different Pilot Schools Joined for Face to Face
classes

Designated entrance, safety protocols having foot bath, functional handwashing facility
on strategic areas and with waiting area for those with initial high body temperatures
Designated school personnel at screening area for filling health declaration forms
and using of logbooks for contact tracing
Safety protocols before entering the classrooms
Classroom set up
Provision of drop-off box for the activity outputs of learners
Emphasizing handwashing activity and included in class program
Waiting area and limited for 1 person per learner and with IEC materials
Scheduled disinfection with proper PPE

Photo Credits: Twitter/DepEd_PH

Thank
you!!!