Covid-19: Face Coverings & Updated Isolation Guidance January 2022
Tue 04 Jan 2022
04 January 2022
Dear Parent / Carer,
Firstly, Happy New Year, I hope you have all had an enjoyable and safe festive period. Below are some updates and information about the January return to the academy.
Face Coverings in Classrooms
The Government has temporarily recommended that face coverings are worn in classrooms and teaching spaces for students in year 7 and above, in light of the Omicron variant surge. The advice is to support pupils and staff as they return to schools this term and builds on the existing guidance that recommends face coverings for all students and adults (unless exempt) in communal areas of all settings. The advice on face coverings in classrooms will be in place until 26 January, when Plan B regulations are currently scheduled to expire, at which point it will be reviewed. Based on the above government announcement, we ask that all students, staff and visitors, unless exempt, bring and wear a covering when inside the school building. For students who are exempt from wearing face coverings, they should provide medical evidence and hand this over to their learning manager or main reception.
Isolation following a positive PCR Test
According to Government guidance, since Wednesday 22 December, the 10-day self-isolation period for people who record a positive PCR test result for COVID-19 has been reduced to 7 days. Individuals may now take LFD tests on day 6 and day 7 of their self-isolation period. Those who receive two negative test results are no longer required to complete 10 full days of self-isolation. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 6 of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart. If both these test results are negative, and your child does not have a high temperature, they may end their self-isolation after the second negative test result and return to the academy from day 8.
Close Contact
If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 you are at significantly higher risk of becoming infected yourself.
According to current government guidance, If you are fully vaccinated or aged under 18 years and 6 months, and you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, you are not legally required to self-isolate. However, you are strongly advised to take an LFD test every day for 7 days, and to self-isolate if any of these test results are positive.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have received a positive COVID-19 test result stay at home and self-isolate
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, stay at home and self-isolate immediately. If you have a positive test result but do not have symptoms, stay at home and self-isolate as soon as you receive the results. You should do this even if you have received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Government guidance states that LFD tests are very good at identifying people who have high levels of coronavirus and are most likely to pass on infection to others, even if you do not have symptoms. Students should attend our onsite testing this week and regularly take LFT tests at home.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support, we will endeavour to keep you updated with any further information we receive over the coming weeks.
Yours faithfully,
Alison McQueen