As you are aware, on 21st February 2022, the Government published a new plan for living with COVID-19. The plan outlined the next step of the pandemic response and a future where COVID-19 is managed in a similar way to other infectious diseases.
Public Health also issued additional advice on Thursday 24th February 2022 in relation to people with COVID-19 and their contacts.
Testing
Twice weekly asymptomatic lateral flow testing is no longer advised for staff and children.
Face coverings
Face coverings are no longer advised for staff in classrooms or communal areas; however, we respect individual choice in wearing a face mask in communal areas on a temporary basis.
Pupils with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer legally required to self-isolate; however, if an individual has any of the main symptoms or a positive test result, the advice from Public Health remains unchanged, e.g. stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least five full days, and until they have received two negative LFD tests on days 5 and 6.
Pupils who have a suspected case of COVID-19 will remain in their classroom (if they are well enough to do so) and their parents will be contacted to collect their child as soon as possible and advised to take them for a PCR test. Please email the test results to admin.stmatthews@smps.uk.
Tracing close contacts and isolation
Contacts of people with COVID-19 are no longer required to self-isolate or advised to take daily tests and contact tracing has ended.
Unvaccinated contacts of people with COVID-19 are no longer required to self-isolate or advised to take daily tests.
Children who live with someone who has COVID-19 will be advised to continue to attend school as normal.
Vaccination
We recommend all eligible adults and at-risk children take up the offer of a vaccine. The NHS is currently offering vaccines to at-risk children and those who live with immunosuppressed people in this age group. Parents and guardians of at risk 5 to 11 year olds should wait for the NHS to contact them, with local NHS teams already contacting those who are eligible.
Moving forward
Over the coming weeks, we will continue to make adjustments and will gradually remove our COVID-19 measures, until we can return to a ‘new normal’.
Thank you for your continuing patience and support.