The Ministry of Health says schools experiencing great difficulty accessing water may have to be closed until the situation is normalised.
That’s the word from Director For Health Promotion And Protection In The Ministry, Dr. Sonia Copeland.
In an interview with JIS News, Dr Copeland says the administration of any institution experiencing great difficulty accessing water should contact The Ministry.
Meanwhile, The Ministry of Health has provided recommendations for safe water use to the ministry of education for dissemination to all schools.
Dr Copeland says the recommendations to schools are in light of the severe drought conditions affecting the island and the resulting water restrictions.
She says the provision of safe water and adequate sanitation can be done to prevent the spread of disease in the vulnerable school population, especially in the early childhood institutions.
Dr Copeland adds that these recommendations indicate the need to ensure that the water is free from disease-causing microorganisms.
In addition, she says The Ministry also outlines how to make the water safe for drinking, by boiling for at least a minute or by using household bleach in the recommended quantities.
The Health Protection Director is recommending that parents of younger children, send them to school with drinking water, give the children hand sanitizers, and reinforce hand washing and basic hygiene sanitation practices.
In the meantime, Dr Copeland says The Health Ministry has given advice to those schools with large tanks or schools that have been harvesting water on how to make that water safe for use.
Dr Copeland says it is also important to keep storage containers covered to prevent insects, dust and other contaminants from getting into the water.
She is advising people purchasing water to ensure that they know where the commodity is being sourced.
Additionally, Dr Copeland says water being delivered to offices, schools and communities should be coming from the national water commission, which provides treated water.