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The Public Health Agency of Canada is not recommending closing schools for the prevention of novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

But, in a document offering health authorities guidance for schools and child-care programs, PHAC does recommend everything from increased hand sanitizing stations and additional tissues at schools, to ending awards for perfect attendance, to ensure students stay home when they are sick.

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The federal public health agency also recommends schools take a “relaxed” approach to missed homework for students who are isolated at home because of coronavirus and that schools routinely disinfect shared smartboards and tablets with an alcohol solution.

Schools and child-care centres present challenges when it comes to trying to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, although children are among the least affected by the virus, according to preliminary studies.

The document notes that virus transmission is “amplified” in school and child-care settings because children are less likely to wash their hands frequently or to cough into their sleeves or a tissue. Children play in a way that can spread viruses and can also shed virus (meaning they are contagious) for twice as long as adults.