European Tourism Academy has launched the COVID-19 SAFE UNIVERSITY/ CERTIFIED EDUCATION FACILITY DESIGNATION in order to provide clear and actionable guidance for safe operations through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in schools and other educational facilities.
According to recent university studies, 4 in 5 students will prefer to study in a certified COVID-19 safe university above any other consideration and 6 out of 10 members of the academic and non-academic staff are also more interested in serving in a certified education facility that was monitored as Covid=19 safe.
In order to answer these needs and concerns the European Tourism Academy has made available his guidance and certification process, while specific to countries that have already confirmed the transmission of COVID-19, is still relevant in all other contexts.
European Tourism Academy considers that education can encourage students to become advocates for disease prevention and control at home, in school, and in their community by talking to others about how to prevent the spread of viruses.
Basic principles
Following basic principles can help keep students, teachers, and staff safe at school and help stop the spread of this disease.
Recommendations for healthy universities are:
• Sick students, teachers and other staff should not come to school
• Schools should enforce regular hand washing with safe water and soap, alcohol rub/hand sanitizer or chlorine solution and, at a minimum, daily disinfection and cleaning of school surfaces
• Schools should provide water, sanitation and waste management facilities and follow
environmental cleaning and decontamination procedures
Ensure safe universities/school operations:
Update or develop school emergency and contingency plans. Work with officials to guarantee schools are not used as shelters, treatment units, etc.
Reinforce frequent handwashing and sanitation and procure needed supplies.
Prepare and maintain handwashing stations with soap and water, and if possible, place alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizers) in each classroom, at entrances and exits, and near lunchrooms and toilets.
Clean and disinfect school buildings, classrooms and especially water and sanitation facilities at least once a day, particularly surfaces that are touched by many people (railings, lunch tables, sports equipment, door and window handles, toys, teaching and learning aids etc.)
Implement social distancing practices.
Adapt university/school policies where appropriate
Develop flexible attendance and sick leave policies that encourage students and staff to stay home when sick or when caring for sick family members.
Discourage the use of perfect attendance awards and incentives.
Identify critical job functions and positions, and plan for alternative coverage by crosstraining staff.
Plan for possible academic calendar changes, particularly in relation to breaks and exams.
Monitor school attendance
Implement school absenteeism monitoring systems to track student and staff absence and compare
against usual absenteeism patterns at the school.
Plan for continuity of learning
In the case of absenteeism/sick leave or temporary school closures, support continued access to
quality education. This can include:
• Use of online/e-learning strategies
• Assigning reading and exercises for home study
• Radio, podcast or television broadcasts of academic content
• Assigning teachers to conduct remote daily or weekly follow up with students
• Review/develop accelerated education strategies
Implement targeted Covid-19 health education
Integrate disease prevention and control in daily activities and lessons.
CHECKLIST FOR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS AND STAFF
☐ 1. Promote and demonstrate regular hand washing and positive hygiene behaviors and
monitor their uptake. Ensure adequate, clean and separate toilets for girls and boys
o Ensure soap and safe water is available at age-appropriate hand washing
stations
o Encourage frequent and thorough washing (at least 20 seconds)
o Place hand sanitizers in toilets, classrooms, halls, and near exits where
possible
o Ensure adequate, clean and separate toilets or latrines for girls and boys
☐ 2. Clean and disinfect school buildings, classrooms and especially water and sanitation
facilities at least once a day, particularly surfaces that are touched by many people
(railings, lunch tables, sports equipment, door and window handles, toys, teaching
and learning aids etc.)
o Use sodium hypochlorite at 0.5% (equivalent 5000ppm) for disinfecting
surfaces and 70% ethyl alcohol for disinfection of small items, and ensure
appropriate equipment for cleaning staff
☐ 3. Increase air flow and ventilation where climate allows (open windows, use air
conditioning where available, etc.)
☐ 4. Post signs encouraging good hand and respiratory hygiene practices
☐ 5. Ensure trash is removed daily and disposed of safely
WORLD TOURISM NEWS FROM EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE 
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