Longsands Community Primary School

Guidance changes in light of the new Covid variant

Here are the changes that have been made to the DFE guidance for schools.

Changes to the guidance since its 27 September 2021 publication include:

• updated advice on Tracing close contacts and isolation to reflect the change in measures for close contacts of suspected or confirmed Omicron cases
• updated advice on Face coverings to reflect the change in measures – they are now recommended in communal areas in all schools for adults and for pupils from year 7 onwards
• replacement of references to Public Health England with references to the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
• updated information in the Other considerations section on vaccination of under 18 year olds
• an updated Travel and quarantine section to reflect that pupils arriving from abroad will need to isolate and test on arrival
• an updated Educational visits section to advise you consider whether to go ahead with any planned international educational visits

10-day isolation for Omicron close contacts

The current guidance on contact tracing and isolation remains unchanged.

However, in addition, any “suspected or confirmed close contacts of the Omicron variant will be asked to isolate for 10 days regardless of vaccination status or age”. They will also be asked to book a PCR test.

Schools are not expected to undertake contact tracing, with NHS Test and Trace identifying positive cases.

The guidance adds: “You will be contacted directly and told to isolate.”

It says “further actions” for schools may be advised by local incident management teams over Omicron cases.

At Longsands, staff and visitors will be expected to wear masks inside school and continue  to use the handgel on arrival and throughout the day.  Parents on the playground will continue to have personal choice as to whether or not they wear a mask whilst waiting for their children. I would still remind you to be vigilant over any  symptoms and continue to test . We do not want an outbreak in school and I am sure you want to protect each other .