Update on Self-Isolation Requirements for COVID-19
As you will be aware the requirements for self-isolation due to confirmed cases of COVID-19 have changed and this term the procedures for schools are very different to those we needed to follow before the summer holidays. This is a brief update for your information.
Schools are no longer responsible for identifying close contacts of anyone with a confirmed infection; this will be undertaken by NHS Test and Trace. We are therefore not responsible for informing people they must self-isolate. Schools may be contacted to assist Test and Trace in exceptional circumstances.
You are no longer required to self-isolate if you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, if any of the following apply:
- you are fully vaccinated
- you are a child or young person below the age of 18 years and 6 months
- you have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
- you are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons
Instead, you will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace, informed you have been in close contact with a positive case and advised to take a PCR test. We would encourage all individuals to take a PCR test if advised to do so.
Only individuals (adults and children) who test positive themselves or close contacts who are unvaccinated adults need to self-isolate routinely.
As a result, primary school pupils are no longer required to self-isolate, even if a member of their household has tested positive for COVID-19.
If a child in school tests positive, other pupils and staff who are fully vaccinated are not required to self-isolate and will continue to attend school.
It is important that you continue to inform us if your children test positive as we need to keep the Local Authority informed of infection rates and there are further measures we need to take in school if infection rates in the school start to rise.
Most importantly if children are unwell please do not send them to school, if they have COVID-19 symptoms please book them a PCR test and inform us of the outcome.
Thank you for your ongoing support,
Caroline McKay (Headteacher)