Health & safety

Health & safety Control of Covid-19 policy for Students
Magh Éne College

1. Introduction 

Under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, Donegal ETB / Board of Management, as employer is required to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all employees of the school. The employer is further required to manage and conduct the school in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that individuals at the place of work who are not employees, such as students, parents/guardians, visitors to the school, are not exposed to risks to their safety, health or welfare. 

This policy is influenced by the need to minimise the risk of introduction of COVID-19 into the school community and to prevent its spread. Although it is acknowledged that no single action or set of actions will completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19 transmission, adherence to this policy will contribute to the reduction of that risk of transmission. 

In accordance with this policy, students are expected to comply with the standards of behaviour set out in this policy or as directed by the school to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19. The COVID-19 control measures are consistent with current advice from the HSE, the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Foreign Affairs and, as such, may be subject to change. Students and parents/guardians will be notified of any changes to the control measures. 

Students are expected to comply with all directions from school staff in relation to the school’s COVID-19 control measures. Any failure or refusal to comply with this policy or to follow instructions of school staff should be dealt with in accordance with the school’s Code of Behaviour. 

Parents/guardians are required to supply the school with a phone number/s of available person/s who can be contacted at all times and who will be available to collect a student from the school should the need arise. 

2. Symptoms of COVID-19 

Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to symptoms of cold or flu. The most common symptoms are: 

  • fever 
  • cough 
  • shortness of breath 
  • loss of sense of smell or taste 

More information regarding the most up-to-date signs and symptoms of COVID-19 is available on the HSE website, https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/. 

3. Standards of Behaviour expected of students to help prevent the introduction or spread of COVID -19 in the school 

Standards of Behaviour expected of students 
Students are expected to comply with any control measures directed by the school to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19, including, but not limited to: maintaining a social-distance of at least 1 metre and where possible, 2 metres, from other students and staff; wearing a face covering (applicable at post-primary level). All students at post-primary level, are required to wear a face covering subject to a limited number of exceptions set out in relevant Department of Education guidance. Face coverings must not contain any slogans/logos/images that may cause upset or be deemed offensive to any member of the school community. performing hand hygiene with a hand sanitiser on entering the school. repeating hand-hygiene at regular intervals throughout the school day and when directed by school staff; maintaining good respiratory-hygiene. In this regard students should: 
cover nose/mouth with a tissue when coughing/sneezing and dispose of used tissue in waste bin and perform hand hygiene cough or sneeze into the inner elbow (upper sleeve) rather than into the hand, if no tissues are available. keep contaminated hands away from the eyes and nose carry out hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials not spit or deliberately cough or sneeze at or towards any other person in the school not sharing materials or stationery, such as pens, calculators, rulers, etc. with other students; not attending school for 14 days after returning from travel out of the country in line with Government guidelines for travel; not attending school if displaying COVID-19 like symptoms and remaining out of school for such period as is required in accordance with HSE/GP advice not attending school where tested positive for COVID-19 and remaining out of school for such period as is required in accordance with HSE/GP advice not attending school if identified by the HSE as a person who has been in contact with another person who has contracted COVID-19 and remaining out of school for such period as is required in accordance with HSE/GP advice; not attending school if a member of the student’s household is displaying COVID-19 symptoms and remaining out of school for such period as is required in accordance with HSE/GP advice telling a teacher or other member of staff where a student feels unwell at school. In that regard – the student will require to be collected from the school as soon as possible by a parent/guardian or a person designated by the parent/guardian for such purpose. parents must ensure that the school has up-to-date contact details so that they can be contacted by the school if required. complying with any other such directions as advised by the DES and/or HSE and communicated to the school community.