Covid-19 rules for children’s return to school

Covid-19 rules for children’s return to school

Covid-19 rules are set to relax for schools across Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire when kids return in September.

The aim is to gradually return to a more normal learning experience whilst public health teams continue to monitor the situation with regard to the coronavirus.

Schools will no longer require students to remain in bubbles and those under 18 will not have to self-isolate if they have had contact with somebody who has the virus.

However, they will still be asked to take a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and, if the results come back positive, they will then have to isolate for 10 days.

The child in question (or their parents) will then also have to inform their school about any close contacts the child has, especially if they go to the same school.

These close contacts will also be asked to take a PCR swab test.

Therefore, students no longer have to worry about isolating unless a close contact has a confirmed case of coronavirus.

Face masks will also no longer be essential in schools but should be worn on transport such as school buses.

All secondary school students will have to take two lateral-flow swab tests the start of the autumn term and should test themselves twice a week at home from then on.

Any pupils between the ages of 12 and 15, who have any underlying health conditions or are living with people with weakened immune systems, will be offered a vaccine.

On top of this, the Department for Education will reportedly supply schools across the nation with 300,000 carbon dioxide monitors in September.

These monitors will identify areas in the building which have limited airflow and so are more prone to spreading the virus.

Overall, it will be up to headteachers to decide what measures will be put in place for each individual school.