Specific controls and procedures are in place to ensure a safe learning environment

Dubai Health warns about the muzzle that is equipped with an exhalation valve inside schools

• Wearing masks is mandatory inside educational facilities.

  ■ Emirates Today

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The Dubai Health Authority has warned against wearing face masks that contain exhalation valves, inside schools, noting that they are ineffective in limiting the spread of aerosol droplets, which transmit the Corona virus through droplets to others, in case the wearer is infected with the virus.

She said, in the "Guidelines for the Management of Dealing with (Covid-19) in Schools and Educational Facilities," that it is not recommended to use a valve face mask as a substitute for the muzzle, pointing out that the widespread use of these alternatives to regular masks could have a negative impact on efforts to mitigate The spread of "Corona".

The authority has set controls and procedures to ensure a safe school environment, stressing the mandatory wearing of medical or cloth masks for anyone entering the school or university building.

It also called for encouraging teachers whose duties require them to be in direct contact with students of determination, or teachers of elementary school students, to wear a transparent face mask, if available, to facilitate reading of lips and facial expressions.

She added, "There are face masks that have better control over respiratory sources than others, such as the mask that covers the entire forehead and extends to the chin or below the chin and the sides of the face."

"The precautionary measures include the implementation of schools, educational facilities and academic strategies to encourage behaviors that reduce the spread of disease, such as staying at home if the person is sick," the authority stated.

And she stressed the need to have adequate supplies to combat infection, to support hygiene behavior, such as soap, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% of alcohol, disposable paper towels, wipes especially disinfectant wet masks, masks, and the use of trash cans that do not need to be touched to open them. .

She called for training students and staff on the proper use of face masks (how to remove them, dispose of them, or wash them if they are from cloth masks), in addition to being reminded repeatedly not to touch their face masks, and not to share their masks with others.

It called on students and staff who have tested positive for "Covid-19", or who have been in close contact with a person with the disease, to stay at home until the negative examination result is confirmed, with distance learning options presented, and the appointment of an official or health and safety team to follow up the students who appeared. They have symptoms until they return to school again.

On hygiene mechanisms in educational facilities, the authority emphasized the necessity of washing hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.

If soap and warm water are not readily available, hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol can be used.

She called on students and staff to cover the places of coughing and sneezing on the face with a tissue and toss it immediately in the covered trash bin, then wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and in the absence of a tissue, then sneezing or coughing in the elbow should be sterilized or washed hands immediately.

With regard to measures to enhance awareness about measures to combat the "Covid-19" infection, she stressed the deployment of signs in specific locations, such as school entrances and toilets, to reinforce preventive measures, and describe how to stop the spread of germs (proper hand hygiene and wearing masks), and the use of signs to direct Students and staff about social distancing guidelines, broadcast regular announcements about limiting the spread of "Covid-19" in the electronic visual systems available at the school, and include messages such as videos about behaviors that prevent the spread of disease when communicating with employees and families.

Dubai Health:

"The use of alternatives to the muzzle could have a negative impact on efforts to mitigate the spread of (Corona)."

The authority called for training students and employees on the proper use of face masks.

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