Further Covid restrictions in schools, such as class and year bubbles to be lifted but protective measures will remain in place next term.
Education Minister Gavin Williamson told MPs while speaking in the House of Commons, self-isolation for nurseries and schools as well as ‘bubbles’ will be ditched from 16th August to allow children “to get the education they deserve”.
Those children that come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and advised to take a PCR test. If children test positive for COVID-19, they will be required to self-isolate.
The Education Secretary said: “In education settings, all other existing measures – including guidance on isolation of contacts – will stay in place until the end of this term, in line with isolation rules for the rest of the population as more adults are vaccinated.” He also added that schools will also no longer need to stagger start and finish times from 16th August, although they can continue until the end of the summer term if they would like to.
According to the Department for Education, testing for close contacts under 18 will be split into two categories. All primary, secondary and college age children should take a single PCR test. Early years children should only take a PCR test if a member of their household tests positive.
Please click here for further guidance to enable schools and colleges to plan for how they will operate from September.
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