Precautionary measures
School Tours
- In Phase 2 of Singapore’s reopening (19 June onwards), school tours are available on Saturdays. Safety measures:
- It is mandatory for visitors to fill out travel declaration forms. beforehand.
- Temperature screenings will be conducted for all visitors. Visitors who display any symptoms (cough, cold, flu, fever, loss of taste and smell) will not be able to visit the school.
- There will only be one family in a school tour.
- Visitors have to wear a mask throughout the tour, and to practice social distancing and maintain a distance of 1m/3ft.
- Visitors are not to enter classrooms and are requested not to touch anything.
- Alternatively, online consultations are also available. Complete this form to send an enquiry.
Advisories & Declarations
- On 2 June 2020, EtonHouse campuses re-open after the Circuit Breaker, with precautionary measures in place.
- EtonHouse Schools in Singapore offer home-based learning from 8 April to 4 May 2020. (MOE press release here)
- With effect from 16 March 2020, MOH has extended the SHN to all with travel history to Mainland China (excl Hubei), Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland, or UK in the last 14 days. SHN will not apply to Singaporeans and Malaysians at land and sea crossings with Malaysia. Parents and staff are requested to refill the travel declaration form if:
- they new travel plans
- they have cancelled previously declared trips
- they have amended some details on previously declared trips
- they or their children have been in contact with people who have been to China
- they or their children are living in the same household as someone on Stay Home Notice (SHN) or Home Quarantine Order (HQO)
- The schools will require all parents to declare if their children are living with any household member under the Home Quarantine Order (HQO). The children will be required to take a Leave of Absence that is aligned to the period of the household member’s Home Quarantine Order.
Health & Hygiene
- Individuals (children and or staff) who do not feel well at any time are to seek medical attention immediately. For children/staff who display symptoms of illness, they will only be allowed to return to school upon obtaining documentation of medical clearance from the doctor and remain fever free for 24 hours.
- All our campuses are closely monitoring the health of our staff and children and ensuring a high level of hygiene and sanitation. Apart from our regular cleaning all schools have conducted a risk assessment for infection control and have put into place extra cleaning and sanitisation procedures. This is especially so for areas that have higher risk due like door handles, entrances, lift buttons etc.
- All schools have been stocked with thermometers and surgical masks since January.
Policies
- We have in place comprehensive policies in relation to the management of sick children and staff, as well as control, prevention and tracking of infections. Specific to the Covid-19, on top of our infection control plan, we have also put in place an epidemic response plan, a risk assessment process, an illness monitoring log, and a travel declaration log. These policies aim to minimize cross-infection in school settings through acknowledged best practice and are strictly adhered to by all staff members.
Community events
- Large group activities and after school clubs have been cancelled. We have been intentional in inviting the children to talk about the virus and conducting research about the topic.
FAQs
1. What is the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a new strain that has not been previously known in humans, has been identified in China. The Covid-19 has caused cases of severe pneumonia in China and cases have been exported to other cities and countries.
1. What is the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a new strain that has not been previously known in humans, has been identified in China. The Covid-19 has caused cases of severe pneumonia in China and cases have been exported to other cities and countries.
2. What are the common signs of infection for Covid-19?
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
3. If I transit in China without leaving the airport, am I considered to have travelled to China?
No. With reference to Singapore’s Ministry of Health’s (MOH) circular 15/2020: “transit only in an airport located in mainland China is not considered as having travelled to mainland China.”
4. I’m a Singaporean citizen and I need help overseas from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
You can call their 24 hour hotline (65) 6379 8000 or visit this website for the contact details of the nearest Embassy, High Commission, Permanent Mission, Consulate-General/Consulate and Trade Office.
5. What is considered close contact?
Ministry of Health’s Director of Communicable Diseases, Associate Professor Vernon Lee, said that “To be a close contact, you have to spend a reasonable amount of time in really close proximity – usually around 2m – of the person. You need distance and time, it is not just casual contact like brushing past or walking by, in a transient kind of moment.”
Source: The Straits Times
6. How do I contact MOH for clarifications on whether a leave of absence for children is required?
You may call the MOH hotline at (65) 6325 9220.
7. What is the difference between a Home Quarantine Order (HQO), Leave of Absence (LOA) and Stay-Home Notice (SHN)?
Home Quarantine Order (HQO) – A HQO is served to healthy individuals who have a higher risk of exposure to the virus, such as someone who has close contact with an infected person. HQOs have legal force, with severe penalties for non-compliance. Quarantine usually occurs in the home but can also be served in dedicated Government Quarantine Facilities (GQFs) or hospitals, should the individual not have suitable accommodation in Singapore.
Leave of Absence (LOA) – An LOA is also issued to students and staff who are healthy, but have recently travelled to Mainland China. So it is a precautionary measure. Although LOAs are not legally binding, we strongly urge those on LOA to be socially responsible and comply with the LOA, to prevent possible transmission of infections. Students and staff on LOAs are not required to stay at home and be isolated at all times. During the LOA, students and staff are expected to:
- Remain contactable at all times
- Remain in the place of residence as much as possible
- Minimise visitors to the place of residence
- Minimise time spent in public places and contact with others
- Monitor their health and their temperature
Stay-Home Notice (SHN) – Those placed under the SHN are not under quarantine orders; and are not required to have a dedicated room and toilet if this is not feasible. However, they should remain in their place of residence. Persons on LOA are allowed to leave their place of residence to purchase daily necessities or to attend to important personal matters. Persons issued a SHN must remain in their place of residence at all times.
8. Are vendors, canteen staff, freelance coaches also covered under the LOA measure?
Yes. The LOA provisions cover teaching staff, non-teaching staff, such as administrators, and other non-school staff, including canteen vendors, security guards.
Parent Resources
Travel Declaration
Travel declaration (Families) – On 19th and 20th March 2020, the latest travel declaration form sent via email to all EtonHouse families in Singapore.
With effect from 16 March 2020, 2359 hours, the Singapore government has extended Stay Home Notice (SHN) to all with travel history to Mainland China (excl Hubei), Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland, or UK, in last 14 days. SHN will not apply to Singaporeans and Malaysians at land and sea crossings with Malaysia.
With effect from 4 March 2020, 2359 hours, the Singapore government has extended Stay Home Notice (SHN) to all Singapore residents and work pass holders with travel history to China, Republic of Korea, Northern Italy, or Iran in the last 14 days with immediate effect.
Contact
Etonhouse Pre-School
Etonhouse Kindergarten
Etonhouse Kindergarten
Villa No. 1318
Road No. 7921 Block. 579
Janabiyah, Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel. +97317310777