Covid-19
Last Update: January 2023
Since March 2022 when the final Covid restrictions were lifted the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has advised that COVID-19 should be managed like other respiratory infections, such as flu.
COVID-19 presents a low risk to children and young people. This, combined with high vaccination rates in the population, means there are no longer specific rules relating to COVID-19 in schools, colleges, childcare and other education settings.
Here’s what you need to know.
For children and young people aged 18 and under who test positive for COVID-19, the advice is to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days. This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults.
Adults with a positive COVID-19 test result are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days, which is when they are most infectious.
The UKHSA has also published public health guidance on living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
We will continue to promote;
Hand hygiene
Frequent and thorough hand cleaning should now be regular practice. You should continue to ensure that pupils clean their hands regularly. This can be done with soap and water or hand sanitiser.
Respiratory hygiene
The ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach continues to be very important.
Appropriate cleaning regimes
Maintaining an appropriate cleaning schedule. This should include regular cleaning of areas and equipment (for example, twice per day), with a particular focus on frequently touched surfaces.
Keep occupied spaces well ventilated
When school is in operation, it is important to ensure it is well ventilated and that a comfortable teaching environment is maintained.
We will continue to keep everyone updated through our usual communications or additional phone/text messages where urgent information needs to be relayed.
The latest requirements and guidance from UK Government can be found here.
Worcestershire County Council support is available through the Here2Help scheme