Your campus’ plan should address at least these questions:

• What ongoing steps should we use to help prevent the spread of all diseases— flu, coronavirus, or otherwise?

• Do we know if any of our families have recently traveled in China or have visiting relatives and/or friends currently in their home from China?

• What are the steps to follow if coronavirus starts to spread in your geographical area?

• What to do if there is a first confirmed case of coronavirus at your school?

Below is a list of questions to answer as you work out the details of your plan of action:

• At what threshold would you suspend a class, or school, and for how long?

• What steps should be taken to keep surfaces and hands clean if the risk is mild (i.e., it’s in your area)?

• What symptoms will you ask parents to look for?

• Do you want to modify or more strongly enforce your "no school attendance within 24 hours of having a fever"?

• How will you refer students to be tested if you have concerns?

• If you have a confirmed case of coronavirus at your school will you close? For how long?

• Do you notify parents of students that are in the same class as the sick student? (Check on local health disclosure laws.)

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It is also EXTREMELY important to follow standard environmental infection control procedures. Discuss these as a staff and require that teachers go over these procedures and practice them with their classes.

• Washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.

• Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not on hand.

• Covering the nose and mouth with elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

• Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Limiting close contact with people who are sick.

• Play items in preschools, schools and church nurseries should be disinfected more frequently.

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See also:

• CDC Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs (03/17/2020)

• 3 Ways to Keep Your Workplace Clean During Coronavirus Scare

• California Releases Updated Guidance for Schools, Colleges & Large Public Events to Prepare and Protect Californians from COVID-19​

It is also best practice to require that parents keep sick children home from school until they’re fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication. If you are aware that you have families who have recently traveled in China, the CDC is requesting that healthy travelers who have recently been to China voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 days. If you have a student or family who has traveled to China and is self-quarantining, then they should be excused for those 14 days.

If you or someone you know has traveled to China and feels sick, please:

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• Stay home and avoid contact with others, except for seeking medical care.

• Seek medical care right away. Again, before seeking care, call ahead to report recent travel and symptoms.

• Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not hands) when coughing or sneezing.

• Wash hands frequently.