New Decision by the Governor on the Operations of Preschool Educational Institutions

On August 18, the Governor of Armenia, Tigran Avinyan, signed a decision concerning temporary restrictions and regulations applicable throughout the Republic of Armenia. Appendix 11 of the decision establishes the rules for the operation of preschool educational institutions under the conditions of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which we present below.

The responsibility for ensuring healthy and safe conditions falls entirely on the director of the institution. Based on the epidemiological situation in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following regulations remain in effect during the operation of preschool educational institutions:

1. General Rules for Organizational Work:
   1. The director appoints a responsible person for the oversight of COVID-19 infection control (who may be the institution's nurse by office).
   2. It is necessary to refrain from involving employees from high-risk groups for severe illness from COVID-19 based on a medical document presented by the employee, while adhering to the regulations stipulated in Article 186 of the RA Labor Code. High-risk groups include:
      1. Persons with suppressed immune systems,
      2. Individuals aged 65 and over,
      3. Persons with chronic illnesses (respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease (hepatitis), chronic neurological diseases (Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy),
      4. Individuals with diabetes.
   3. Exclude events that imply human gatherings, including public gatherings and meetings.
   4. Prevent crowding around the areas adjacent to preschool educational institutions. The admission and dismissal of students is regulated through queue management (for example, time slots for children arriving at and leaving the kindergarten may be established), maintaining a social distance of 1.5-2 meters between individuals.
   5. Upon the first attendance at the institution, parents (guardians) must provide a document indicating a 'negative result' for laboratory COVID-19 testing, if:
      1. The parents (guardians) previously had a confirmed COVID-19 infection,
      2. The parents (guardians) have had contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases and have been in self-isolation.
   6. The validity of the certificate mentioned in the previous item should not exceed 7 days.
2. Disinfection of Areas:
   1. In the event of a certain work stoppage, disinfection and general cleaning works are carried out across the entire area of the preschool educational institution one day prior to reopening and subsequently at the end of each working day, including the playground and equipment if available, using disinfectants containing at least 70% alcohol.
   2. Disinfection in sleeping rooms or areas designated for rest is done before bedtime, and in playrooms or group rooms during nap time. The area is disinfected after meals, including tables, doorknobs, faucets, and anything the children may touch.
   3. The areas of preschool educational institutions (group rooms, dining rooms, sleeping areas, restrooms, etc.) are ventilated every 2 hours.
   4. At the entrance, containers with disinfectants containing at least 70% alcohol are provided for mandatory hand disinfection of each entering person.
   5. Closed trash bins are placed near the entrance, restrooms, and throughout the institution for disposing of used masks and other personal protective equipment.
   6. Toy and equipment items that cannot be disinfected daily during regular use are temporarily removed from circulation. Toys are collected in separate containers and must be disinfected before future use.
3. Rules for Employees:
   1. Employees are thermally measured at least twice daily using remote or personal thermometers, one of which is before entering the educational institution. Employees with a fever are not allowed to enter the institution and must immediately inform the hot line of the Ministry of Health at 8003.
   2. All staff members must wear masks during work and break times, with the opportunity to change them every 3-4 hours.
4. Childcare and Education Process:
   1. Organize childcare and education in the preschool institution in groups of a maximum of 12 individuals.
   2. Conduct temperature checks and examinations for children using remote or personal thermometers (provided by parents) at least twice daily—once before entering the institution and once after waking up—making appropriate records in a registry according to Form 1. Children with a fever are not allowed to enter the institution, and the Ministry of Health’s hotline at 8003 is informed immediately.
   3. Ensure a social distance of 1.5 meters during activities, meals, and nap times for children.
   4. Temporarily cease games that imply close contact among children, replacing them with other activities.
   5. Conduct physical education and sports activities outdoors; if not possible, use well-ventilated and sufficiently spacious rooms to minimize contact during the educational process.
   6. Temporarily cancel or postpone group activities planned within preschool education programs (such as performances, holiday events, birthday parties, etc.).
   7. Ensure opportunities for handwashing for children with running hot and cold water, elbow or foot-operated faucets (if not possible, provide immediate disinfection), and soap. Children use the restroom individually. Frequent handwashing is ensured.
   8. The ongoing management of groups should occur in the same group room or classroom. Simultaneously, ensure that each child consistently sleeps in the same bed. Bedding is washed and changed daily.
   9. In senior groups, explain preventive measures related to COVID-19.
5. Food Organization:
   1. Where possible, children bring food from home in separate containers.
   2. The use of disposable utensils is advisable. The use of reusable utensils is only permissible under mandatory disinfection conditions.
   3. The number of shared utensils and dishes must meet the entire needs of the children’s food organization. It is prohibited to use chipped, damaged-edged, deformed, or damaged enamel utensils.
   4. In the presence of modern dishwashing machines, mechanical washing of utensils is performed according to their operational manual, using treatment modes that ensure disinfection of dishes and tableware at temperatures not lower than 65°C for 90 minutes.
   5. Separate sinks are provided for hand washing of dishes. Hand washing is done as follows: mechanical removal of food residues, washing in one sink section with added detergent, washing in the second sink section with water not lower than 40 °C and adding twice less detergent than in the first section, rinsing the dishes in running hot water not lower than 65°C in the third sink section using a flexible rubber tube, and disinfecting all dishes and utensils according to their application instructions, rinsing in the third sink section with running water using a flexible rubber tube, and drying the dishes on mesh racks on shelves.
   6. When using disposable utensils, collecting used dishes is done in single, tightly sealed plastic packages for disposal.