New Covid guidance for Hertfordshire schools to reduce children sent home to self-isolate

New guidance has been drawn up for schools in Hertfordshire to reduce the number of children being asked to self-isolate ‘unnecessarily’.

As part of existing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, children remain in restricted groups – or ‘bubbles’ – throughout the school day.

And should there be an ‘outbreak’ of Covid-19, pupils within that bubble may then be asked to self-isolate for two weeks.

Since the start of the autumn term – less than four weeks ago – children from a number of schools have been sent home to ‘self-isolate’ for two weeks.

But in a letter to be sent to all parents Hertfordshire’s director of public health Jim McManus suggests updated guidance may mean fewer children will be send home in future.

“Guidance for determining close contact has been created specifically to help schools plan and deliver teaching bubbles in a way that means they can deal with Covid-19 cases with the least disruption to our child’s education,” says Mr McManus.

“This should help reduce the need and number of children asked to self-isolate unnecessarily.”

In the letter, Mr McManus acknowledges that many parents will feel “anxious” about their children returning to school.

He highlights steps already being taken by schools – including physical changes to settings, staggered start and finish times and alternative lunch and break times.

He tells parents that they are ‘developing further tools and guidance’ for schools, including a dedicated helpdesk and a ‘local support team’.

And he says all schools have particularly considered children who are vulnerable because of their health.

In the letter Mr McManus highlights the rising numbers of infections in ‘almost every area of Hertfordshire’.

He stresses the general need to wash hands regularly, to keep a two metre distance, to wear a face covering where required and to self-isolate if you have symptoms.

And he also reminds parents of the latest restrictions on gatherings – meaning that in most circumstances just six people can meet, whether indoors or outdoors.

“. . . a number of cases of infection have been linked to social events in Hertfordshire,” he said.

“It is important that we continue to adhere to the rules including new rules on gatherings if we are to avoid an escalation of infections an further restrictions placed by government on our daily lives.”

The letter – which is being distributed to parents through schools – is dated September 23.

Read: 35 Hertfordshire schools sent home pupils in first two weeks of autumn term