WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF update guidance on school reopening
(VOVWORLD) - The WHO, UNESCO, and UNICEF co-organized an online press conference on updated guidance on school-related public health measures in the context of COVID-19.
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said by implementing appropriate measures, children can safely return to school. He said school closure should be the last option in COVID-19 high-risk localities.
Director of WHO’s Urgent Medical Program, Michael Ryan, underlined the need to take in to consideration prioritized measures to protect vulnerable people and safely bring children back to school. He said the sole solution is social distancing to avoid epidemic spreading.
UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay said 50% of pupils and students worldwide are still unable to head back to their classrooms. Millions of these children were fortunate enough to learn remotely — online, through radio or TV broadcasts, or otherwise.