Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has directed the Vice Chancellors and Principals of Universities to come up with reopening plans for their institutions.
In the plan, the universities have been asked to ensure that provision of the minimum requirements for prevention of COVID-19 transmissions is provided for.
“The Ministry of Education in collaboration with other Government Agencies is working on the modalities of reopening all institutions of learning. Modelling projections by the Ministry of Health on when the peak of infections is anticipated/projected to be in August/September, and therefore, it is expected that fewer cases will be reported after September 2020.” Said Magoha
In a statement on Thursday, the CS said the institutions whose facilities are still being used for isolation, quarantine or as treatment centers are supposed to liaise with the Ministry Of Health to ease any further admissions and to transfer the patients to Ministry Of Health (MOH)facilities.
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“Once the patients are transferred, you must ensure that the facilities used during treatment are properly fumigated for safe use as per the guidelines from the Ministry Of Health.” He said
Adding that the universities are to ensure that contingency plans are provided for those students who might need assistance to get back to their institution as well as those who might not be able to get back.
“Universities should therefore make sure that students and staff who might not be able to get back are facilitated to continue with teaching and learning remotely.” He added
The minimum requirements include; clean running water and soap for hand washing; sanitisers; frequent cleaning and sanitizing of often-touched objects such as door knobs, light switches and stair railings with disinfectant; adequate space for social distancing where universities may put signs to require staff, students and visitors to keep social distance as well as hand washing and personal hygiene.
Other requirements are mandatory use of masks or face shields for learners, lecturers and non-teaching staff.
“Universities will ensure that all learners and staff have masks. The universities may provide these at a subsidized rate to students and staff.” Noted the CS
Lastly, universities must have thermo guns for monitoring body temperature of all persons entering the intuitions and specific public spaces on campus.
