The Coalition of NGOs for Child Protection – KOMF, has submitted to the Ministry of Health the draft Manual for the Prevention of Covid-19 in Social Services.

KOMF has worked on drafting this Manual together with member organizations providing social services, in order to assist those organizations that work and have direct contact with children during the Covid-19 pandemic period. The purpose of the Manual for the Prevention of Covid-19 in Social Services is to provide guidance to day cares and residential social service providers to minimize the spread of Covid-19 in these settings, with the aim of protecting children as well as professional staff.

The drafting of this Manual arose as an urgent need because current manuals approved by the Ministry of Health do not contain specific recommendations or guidelines for providing direct social services in care centers, shelters and community-based homes during pandemics.

After the approval of the Manual by the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers, respectively the Department of Social and Family Policies, it was submitted to the Ministry of Health, for further proceedings, as review process and approval of the manual.

Adoption of a special Manual with guidelines for social services will prevent the spread of Covid-19 in these environments, will protect children and families and will greatly support the work of social service providers.