Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
I’m sure you’ll agree that at times like this it is more important than ever to follow reputable, standardised advice rather than relying on unverified posts from social media.
You will no doubt be aware of the following guidance to educational settings about COVID19.
To date this remains the most recent guidance. It links to useful posters and leaflets and also to the following guidance on ‘decontamination in non-healthcare settings’:
Of particular relevance is the guidance on laundry to be followed after someone has become unwell in a setting, but which could equally be used each day. There is no more specific guidance on this for everyday activities in educational settings, shops and other settings and again, this focusses on what to do after a suspected case:
Laundry
Elements of Facebook posts are particularly alarming, such as claims that after following this procedure “You should now be virus free”.
The people responsible for the national updates include experts such as virologists, public health epidemiologists and health protection professionals and these should be followed at all times. We would encourage everyone to be guarding against the dangers of sharing unverified information from social media.
The Department for Education and the Local Authority are encouraging schools to follow the Public Health England guidance regarding Coronavirus and to remain open. PHE advise that in most cases, even if there is a confirmed case within the school community, closure of the school is unnecessary. We can assure you that in this situation we would take further advice from PHE to ensure the right proportionate local decision.
It is important that we all do our best to ensure that our children’s education is disrupted as little as possible and as always, everyone should continue to promote good hand and respiratory hygiene:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze, then bin the tissue and wash your hands (or use a sanitiser gel).
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.