A message from the Director of Public Health and Director of Children’s Service

Dear Parent / Carer,

We are now all learning to live safely with COVID-19.  From 1^st April 2022, the government has changed the rules on accessing tests for COVID-19.  As a result of this, they have removed the current COVID-19 guidance for schools and replaced it with more generic guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19

As we move into this next phase, schools will continue to be asked to have a baseline of control measures in place such as ensuring occupied spaces are well-ventilated, and reinforcing good hygiene practices such as hand washing and cleaning.

Updated guidance from the government states that whilst it is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional, if they were to test positive, they should not come into school and try to isolate for 3 days after the day they took the test.  After 3 days, if they are well enough, they can return to school.

Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend school.

Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.

Through this next phase, we will continue to work with schools to support them and advise them when they may need to implement additional controls.

Vaccination is still the best way to keep everyone including children and young people safe. Please check the latest information on who can have a COVID-19 vaccination and how to get it here: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/

Local drop-in clinics: https://www.liverpoolccg.nhs.uk/drop-in-vaccination. 

Thank you for your support.