Dear Members,
On Saturday 27 November, the Prime Minister announced new temporary measures following the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the UK. The new measures will be introduced as a precaution to slow down the spread of the variant. The DfE published information online in relation to this.
Further, on 29 November, the Department for Education (DfE) updated its guidance to schools to take account of the revised general guidance and instructions issued by the Government in the light of the Omicron variant beginning to spread in England.
The guidance to schools has changed in the following ways:
1) Face coverings
It is now recommended that face coverings are worn in communal areas by all adults in all schools, and by Year 7 and older pupils in middle/secondary schools and colleges, unless exempt. Schools should be actively encouraging pupils to wear coverings in these circumstances. Staff should still be permitted to wear face coverings in classrooms as well, and there is nothing to stop a school requesting pupils to also wear face coverings in classrooms.
2) Contact tracing and isolation
With immediate effect, all close contacts of confirmed or suspected Omicron variant cases must self-isolate for a minimum of ten days, regardless of age or vaccine status. Contract tracing teams will contact affected people.
For non-Omicron cases, the current arrangements continue: Under-18s and fully vaccinated adults are advised to take a PCR test, but there is no need to isolate.
3) Educational trips
Schools are advised to reconsider educational trips abroad as all international arrivals, other than those from the Common Travel Area (the Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man), must self-isolate on arrival and take a PCR test. NASUWT guidance remains that members should think extremely carefully before agreeing to take an educational trip abroad due to the difficulties that could be encountered.
All other guidance remains as before.
In addition to the changes to school guidance, local Directors of Public Health have been given more powers to introduce additional mitigations in schools, which could include the wearing of face coverings in all classrooms. The NASUWT has written to all local Directors of Public Health urging them to use their powers to maximise safety in schools.
All schools should also be reviewing and revising their risk assessments in the light of the Omicron variant.
The NASUWT is in regular contact with the Government over the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to press for more comprehensive mitigations in schools and additional resources to allow schools to be as safe as possible.
If members have concerns around their school’s response to the new guidance, these should be raised with management in the first instance. If concerns persist, members should contact the NASUWT for further advice.
NASUWT released this press release after this advice was published: click here
If you have any concerns then please contact us at advice@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.
Stay safe.
NASUWT Coventry 