All of Bermuda’s public schools have been ordered by Education Minister, The Hon., Diallo Rabain that they are required to operate under the dictates of Phase 2 of the School COVID Protocols, as mandated by the Ministry of Health.
With another Covid spike in effect, this one believed fueled by the now rampant Delta variant and asserted by some science experts to be more highly transmissible and resilient to vaccines than prior variants such a move had appeared inevitable.
A return to remote learning looms also as a possible evolution of the plot, with two private schools _ Saltus and Bermuda Institute _ already incurring incidences of active cases on their campuses days after reopening following the summer break.
“I write to inform you that the Ministry of Education has been informed by the Ministry of Health that Phase 2 of the School COVID Protocols are to be used, effective immediately,” read obtained official correspondence from Minister Rabain. “The Chief Medical Officer shared that given the volume of active cases and the number that can be linked top travel or known clusters, Bermuda is in a state of community transmission.
“Thus, school guidance should r4eflect this, namely that Phase 2 of School Protocols currently applies.”
Phase 2 points to there being increased instances of clusters and outbreaks of cases, with classroom and school closures possible.
The Protocol Adherence Level (PAL) mandates strict and consistent adherence to all safety and health protocols, with entry procedure for all school attendees and workers involving temperature checks; hand hygiene (sanitization); completing a COVID-19 questionnaire, and symptom monitoring during entry and throughout the school day.
As revealed previously, masks must be worn by students at all times while inside and while lining up for and during entry and exit, when moving about the building, when lining up for transportations of any kind, and at all times while on mini-buses or any form of public transportation.
Adapted physical distancing rules also apply, while all classroom windows and doors must remain open at all times.
Finally, all System Leaders were reminded of the dictate contained within governmental emergency powers that directs: “Note that The Public Health (COVID-19 Emergency Powers) (Phased Re-opening) Regulations 2021 requires that any business or facility (inclusive of schools) shall comply with any relevant guidance regarding cleaning, sanitization, use of personal protective equipment and other precautions to be taken.”
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