Coronavirus update

Dear Parents/Carers,

As you may be aware the Government has increased its measures against the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, in line with its plan to delay any spread.  Guidance for educational settings have been recently updated.  The additional measures announced at this stage are:

• Anyone with a persistent cough or high temperature should immediately self-isolate for seven days;
• Only those admitted to hospital will be tested;
• From Friday, all school trips abroad will be banned;
• Older people with pre-existing conditions should avoid going on cruises.

The following has been taken directly from the guidance given:

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• washing your hands often - with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport
• covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
• people who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work or any education or childcare setting
• pupils, students, staff and visitors should wash their hands:
  • before leaving home
  • on arrival at school
  • after using the toilet
  • after breaks and sporting activities
  • before food preparation
  • before eating any food, including snacks
  • before leaving school
• use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• if you are worried about your symptoms or those of a child or colleague, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment
• see further information on the Public Health England Blog and the NHS UK website.

Face masks for the general public, pupils or students, or staff are not recommended to protect from infection, as there is no evidence of benefit from their use outside healthcare environments.

People who have returned from Category 1 specified countries/areas in the last 14 days should self-isolate. This includes avoiding attending an education setting or work until 14 days after they return.

People who have returned from Category 2 specified countries/areas in the last 14 days, are advised to stay at home if they develop symptoms. All other pupils or students and staff should continue to attend school or university, including their siblings attending the same or a different school (unless advised not to by public health officials).

It is imperative that you inform the school:

• if you have recently returned from any of the category 1 or category 2 countries/areas.
•  If you know that you have had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

In addition to the advice given, please ensure that you provide your child with their own refillable water bottle to be used in school. Although we are following advice around handwashing, children can bring in hand sanitisers also.

We will inform you of any further updates as we receive them.  The following links will provide you with further information about the increased measures in place.