COVID-19 Response Plan – Page 2 – Tullamore Educate Together National School

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Introduction
This Covid-19 Response Plan is designed to support the staff and Board of Management (BOM) in putting measures in place that will prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Tullamore ETNS.

The Covid-19 Response Plan details the policies and practices necessary for a school to meet the Government’s ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’, the Department of Education and Skills plan for school reopening and to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the school environment. The plan incorporates current advice about measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in the community issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

It is important that the resumption of school based teaching and learning and the reopening of school facilities comply with the protocol to minimise the risk to students, staff and others. As the advice issued by NPHET continues to evolve, this protocol and the measures management and staff need to address may also change.

The response plan will support the sustainable reopening of our school, ensuring that every aspect, from emergency medical technician (AEMT) protocols to classroom layouts, contributes to the safety and well-being of our staff and pupils. The overriding objective is to protect their health while also fostering an environment conducive to fulfilling the educational and development needs of the children in the school.

In line with the Return to Work Safely Protocol, the key to a safe and continued return to work, and re-opening of our schools requires strong communication and a shared collaborative approach between the Board of management, staff, pupils and parents.

This document aims to provide details of:

1. COVID-19 School Policy
2. Planning and Preparing for Return to School

a. School Building
b. Signage

3. Procedure for Returning to Work (RTW) and Returning to School (RTS)
4. Return to work safely and Lead Worker Representative(s)
5. Safety Statement and Risk Assessment
6. General advice to prevent the spread of the virus

a. Wash your Hands Frequently
b. Hand Hygiene and Hand Sanitiser
c. Avoid Touching your Eyes, Nose and Mouth
d. Physical Distancing
e. Practice Respiratory Hygiene
f. Do’s
g. Do Not
h. People at Very High Risk (Extremely Vulnerable)

7. Managing the Risk of Spread of Covid-19
8. Control Measures

a. Return to Work Form/Return to School Form
b. Induction Training
c. Induction Training – On-line Video
d. Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
e. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
f. Wearing of Gloves
g. Cleaning
h. Access to the School Building / Contact Log
i. First Aid / Emergency Procedure

9. Dealing with a suspected case of Covid-19
10. Staff Duties
11. Covid related absence management
12. Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme

The assistance and cooperation of all staff, pupils, parents/guardians, contractors and visitors is critical to the success of the plan.
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this document. However, should errors or omissions be identified, please notify us so that appropriate measures can be taken to rectify same.

Location

Address

Working Hours