COVID-19 in schools: Infection control, personal protective equipment and the latest CPR advice

The challenges of COVID-19 have been particularly difficult for schools, nurseries and childcare providers. It is not easy to try and socially distance within a school environment, particularly if there are a large number of younger children.

Despite this, most education and childcare settings have remained open to priority groups during the coronavirus lockdown measures, providing care to vulnerable children and children of key workers. Recently, the government has been encouraging parents of other groups of eligible children to send them back to school.

This article seeks to provide clear direction to staff working in schools, colleges and childcare settings on infection control, first aid and resuscitation in a childcare and educational setting.

The government published detailed guidance on preparing for the wider opening of early years and childcare settings, actions for schools during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and guidance for special schools, specialist colleges, local authorities and any other settings (Department for Education [DfE], 2020a; 2020b; 2020c). This guidance is regularly updated.