The Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Middle East has published tips to protect school children and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Students should stay home when sick

• Cough or sneeze into elbow or tissue

• Wash hands with soap and water or rub with alcohol-based disinfectant

• Clean surfaces and things that are touched frequently on a regular basis

• Keep a minimum distance of one meter from others

• Wear a facemask when social distaning cannot be maintained

• Do not stigmatize children who tested positive for coronavirus

The WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have previously advised children aged 12 or olded to wear facemasks and abide by all health and safety conditions as adults.

Children under five years old should not be required to wear facemask, based on recommendations by the WHO.

The decision for children between the ages of six and 11 to wear facemasks should based on the extent of which the virus has spread in the area where the child lives, the child’s ability to use the facemask safely, and the availability of facemasks.

The WHO recommended consulting local authorities and adhering to the country’s recommended practices.