I hope you have all ‘survived’ the windy week and had a lovely half term break.
In respect of COVID-19 updates following the announcements made by the government regarding ‘Living with Covid’, plus advice from the Director of Public Health for Wigan. The advice is to remain cautious about Covid and for those who have symptoms, to continue to isolate and book a PCR test.
As I am sure you are aware, the Government has removed the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test. However, adults and children who test positive will continue to be advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least 5 full days, and then continue to follow the guidance until they have received 2 negative test results on consecutive days. We would ask that you continue to keep your child at home if they are displaying any Covid symptoms until they are able to take a test.
People who live with, or have stayed overnight in the household of, someone who has COVID-19, are also advised not to attend work and to reduce their contact with others. However, the guidance states that children and young people who usually attend an education or childcare setting and who live with someone who has COVID-19 should continue to attend the setting as normal.
The Government have also removed the guidance for staff and secondary students in school to undertake twice-weekly asymptomatic testing and are no longer asking close contacts of positive cases to test daily for 7 days, but, of course, you may still choose to do so. In addition, at national and now local level the guidance now recommends that it is not necessary to wear a face mask. Members of the school community may continue to wear face masks if they wish. This is a personal choice. Please note that the government continues to advise the wearing of face coverings in crowded spaces where you may come into contact with people you don’t normally, such as on public transport.
Hope School, College and Post 19 provisions will continue to respect and maintain the standard public health measures of hand and respiratory hygiene, ventilation, additional cleaning and following public health advice in relation to cases of COVID-19, as this will remain important in reducing the number of cases.
Thank you for all your continuing support and please remember you can contact us at anytime if you are unsure, concerned or have any questions about anything.
Take care,
Sue
