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Coronavirus: What will schools do if children get coronavirus? Coronavirus: Can my child go to school with a cold?
(14 days later)
As children begin the autumn term, schools are adopting measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus. With coronavirus cases rising in parts of the UK, schools are adopting measures to reduce the spread and keep pupils safe.
But many parents still have questions.But many parents still have questions.
What if my child has a cough or cold?What if my child has a cough or cold?
The NHS advises that if a child has mild cold-like symptoms they should continue to go to school.The NHS advises that if a child has mild cold-like symptoms they should continue to go to school.
Sore throats and blocked or runny noses are not symptoms of coronavirus. In the case of a heavy cold - says the government in Scotland - children may need to take a day or two off to get better. Sore throats and blocked or runny noses are not symptoms of coronavirus. In the case of a heavy cold, children may need to take a day or two off to get better, says the government in Scotland.
However, if your child also has a new continuous cough or a fever, or a loss of - or change in - their sense of smell or taste, they may have coronavirus. Your child should stay at home, isolate for at least 10 days and be tested. However, a new continuous cough or a fever, or a loss or change in their sense of smell or taste, are potential symptoms of coronavirus. If your child shows any signs of these, they should stay at home, isolate for at least 10 days and be tested.
Other members of your household should also self-isolate for 14 days from the point when your son or daughter first shows symptoms.Other members of your household should also self-isolate for 14 days from the point when your son or daughter first shows symptoms.
Help from the NHS:Help from the NHS:
Are pupils allowed to hug? Can my child get tested at school?
All schools in England have been provided with a small number of testing kits. These are only to be offered to a pupil or a member of staff in the "exceptional circumstance" that they cannot get a test by any other route.
The government says the test kits should be handed over to an adult or else a child's parent or carer, who should carry out the test off site (unless it is a boarding school).
Testing kits have also been provided to schools and colleges in Wales and Northern Ireland, but Scotland has not followed suit.
What precautions are schools taking?
Measures being taken include hand sanitiser stations, one-way systems and staggered break times.
Enhanced cleaning procedures have been introduced, and social distancing wherever possible.
How will children mix at school?
The challenges in getting young children to socially distance are recognised in guidance to schools.The challenges in getting young children to socially distance are recognised in guidance to schools.
In England, "bubbles" - small groups the children will mix in - are encouraged, to balance the fact that they are unlikely to stay 2m apart. In England, children are being encouraged to mix in small groups or "bubbles" to balance the fact that they are unlikely to stay 2m apart.
In Wales and Scotland, pupils are exempt from the 2m distancing rule "because it is harder for children to understand the concept of physical distancing".In Wales and Scotland, pupils are exempt from the 2m distancing rule "because it is harder for children to understand the concept of physical distancing".
Older children, such as those in secondary schools, are being encouraged to avoid touching one another as much as possible.Older children, such as those in secondary schools, are being encouraged to avoid touching one another as much as possible.
However, in England and Wales handshakes or hugs aren't directly advised against.
In Scotland, the guidance actively discourages any social physical contact, including hugs and handshakes.
Will children have to wear face coverings at school?Will children have to wear face coverings at school?
If they live in a local lockdown area, pupils in England in Year 7 and above will have to wear face coverings indoors, when not in class.If they live in a local lockdown area, pupils in England in Year 7 and above will have to wear face coverings indoors, when not in class.
Additionally, head teachers in any secondary school in England will have the power to introduce masks. Additionally, headteachers in any secondary school in England have the power to introduce masks.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, secondary pupils have to wear face coverings between lessons.In Scotland and Northern Ireland, secondary pupils have to wear face coverings between lessons.
In Wales, it will be up to local councils and schools to decide. In Wales, it is up to local councils and schools to decide.
What measures should schools be following?
Schools have gone to ''enormous effort'' over the summer to make themselves safe, says schools minister for England Nick Gibb.
Measures include the introduction of hand sanitiser stations, one-way systems and staggered break times.
Some rules must be followed in all schools, all the time:
Social distancing should be maintained wherever possible.
What happens if there's a coronavirus outbreak?What happens if there's a coronavirus outbreak?
A school is said to have a coronavirus outbreak if there are two or more confirmed cases within 14 days, or a there is a rise in the number of children off with suspected Covid-19. A school is said to have a coronavirus outbreak if there are two or more confirmed cases within 14 days, or a rise in the number of children off with suspected Covid-19.
If this happens, the school must work with local health protection teams. If an outbreak is confirmed, a mobile testing unit may be sent. Testing will start with the infected pupil's class, followed by their year group, then the whole school if necessary.
If an outbreak in a school is confirmed, a mobile testing unit may be sent. Testing will start with the infected pupil's class, followed by their year group, then the whole school if necessary.
In some cases, a larger number of pupils - for instance, a year group - may have to self-isolate at home as a precaution.In some cases, a larger number of pupils - for instance, a year group - may have to self-isolate at home as a precaution.
Closing a school will ''not generally be necessary'', the government says.Closing a school will ''not generally be necessary'', the government says.
If pupils can't come in, schools are expected to have a home-working plan ready to go.If pupils can't come in, schools are expected to have a home-working plan ready to go.
What about schools in local lockdown areas?What about schools in local lockdown areas?
If there is a change in the number of coronavirus cases in an area of England, schools will use a four-stage tier system of extra measures.If there is a change in the number of coronavirus cases in an area of England, schools will use a four-stage tier system of extra measures.
Tier 1: Schools fully open to all pupils, face coverings required in corridors and communal areas for staff and students Year 7 and above
Tier 2: A rota system - ideally two weeks on, two weeks off - will be used by secondary schools and colleges for most pupils, and primary schools stay open
Tier 3 and 4: ''Wider groups of pupils'' go back to remote learning at home, while vulnerable and key worker children continue to go to school
These measures will be applied as ''an absolute last resort,'' the government says. Areas where local lockdowns are currently in operation, are in tier 1.These measures will be applied as ''an absolute last resort,'' the government says. Areas where local lockdowns are currently in operation, are in tier 1.
Do I have to send my child back? What else has changed?
Children must return for the autumn term, unless they - or a close contact - develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus. The school day may look different to previous years.
Head teachers can follow up pupils' absences and issue sanctions, including possible fines. Schools are being asked to:
There is separate published guidance for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How will the school day work?
Schools are expected to teach a broad and balanced curriculum but the school day may look different to previous years.
They are being asked to:
What about getting to school?What about getting to school?
Walking or cycling will be encouraged. Parents should not gather in groups at school gates, or go on site without an appointment.Walking or cycling will be encouraged. Parents should not gather in groups at school gates, or go on site without an appointment.
Dedicated school transport services will be asked to: In Leicestershire, parents have been asked to wear face coverings when picking up or dropping off children at school.
Schools will also need a process for staff and pupils to remove face coverings safely on arrival. Dedicated school transport services have been asked to:
If possible, breakfast and after-school clubs should resume, with children staying within their year groups or bubbles if possible, and if not, in "small, consistent groups".