COVID-19

Latest Updates

24 February 2022 – Key Messages:

Following a positive test result, it is now advised that you isolate for at least five days and then continue to follow the guidance until you receive two negative test results on consecutive days.
Close contacts do not need to test or isolate, regardless of vaccination status.
Staff and students are no loner expected to take part in regular asymptomatic testing. LFD test kits will now only be provided for students in the Einstein Centre and the ASPIRE Centre.
Face coverings are no longer advised, but individuals may choose to wear them.
Students will continue to be encouraged to practice good hand and respiratory hygiene in school and we will be maintaining appropriate cleaning regimes and keeping occupied spaces well ventilated.

COVID-19 Symptoms

These are the main three coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms to be aware of:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or they’ve changed

There is no longer a legal requirement for people with COVID-19 to self-isolate, however if you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive result, the public health advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. After five days, you may choose to take a LFD test followed by another the next day – if both are negative, and you do not have a temperature, you can safely return to your normal routine. Anyone who tests positive should avoid contact with anyone in an at risk group, including if they live in the same household.

Close Contact

There is no longer a requirement for fully vaccinated close contacts and those under the age of 18 to test daily for seven days, and the legal requirement for close contacts who are not fully vaccinated to self-isolate has been removed.

Face Coverings

Face coverings are no longer advised for pupils, staff and visitors in classrooms or communal areas, however staff and pupils should follow wider advice on face coverings outside of school, including on transport to and from school.

Visitors, staff or students may choose to wear face coverings.

Asymptomatic Testing

From 21 February, staff and pupils in mainstream secondary school settings will not be expected to continue taking part in regular asymptomatic testing and should follow asymptomatic testing advice for the general population. Therefore, test kits will no longer be provided to staff and students.

If there needs to be a return to more regular lateral flow testing, for example because of an outbreak in school or high community transmission, we will be advised when to do so by our local public health teams. We have a provision of tests for this purpose.