The Department for Education have instructed us that face coverings should be worn in communal areas in all settings by students, staff, visitors, unless they are exempt, from Monday, 29th November 2021.
Students should also continue to wear face coverings on public and dedicated school transport, unless they are exempt.
Testing
All students and staff should also continue test twice weekly at home using lateral flow device (LFD) tests.
Contact tracing and isolation
The current guidance on contact tracing and isolation remains in place. This means that close contacts should take PCR tests but do not need to isolate unless they are over 18 and unvaccinated. The exception is for close contacts of suspected or confirmed Omicron cases, who will be asked to isolate for 10 days.
Vaccination
All eligible staff and students are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine, including boosters.
Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19. They help protect young people and adults, and benefit those around them. Vaccination makes people less likely to catch the virus and less likely to pass it on.
To book a vaccine, please visit: Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Good hygiene
Across all settings, people should continue to follow the basic rules of good hygiene. This will help to protect individuals and others from COVID-19. These are:
- washing your hands
- cleaning your surroundings
- covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze.
