As you know we are no longer advising students to wear face coverings in classrooms, but I write further to my email of 19 January as promised to confirm that from tomorrow, 27 January, and unless exempt, staff and students should continue to wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas, and on transport to and from school.
To elaborate: As part of the nationwide return to Plan A COVID-19 measures tomorrow, the Department for Education has removed the national guidance on the use of face coverings in corridors and communal areas, returning to the situation in the Autumn where 'local directors of public health [may] recommend the use of face coverings in education settings across their area only where the department and public health experts judge the measure to be proportionate due to specific health concerns.' We have been in discussion with the UK Health Security Agency, Devon Public Health Team, and Devon Education Department, and given that we currently have 34 students who have tested positive for COVID-19 (via LFD or PCR tests) and 4 members of staff, we have been advised that on balance it would be a sensible infection control precaution for students and staff to continue to wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas.
This is a temporary measure and we will continue to routinely review the situation with directors of public health. And we will of course advise you as soon as there is any change to this advice. Please note that all other control measures remain in place, namely: Ensuring good hygiene for everyone; Maintaining appropriate cleaning regimes; Keeping occupied spaces well ventilated; and following public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19.
To elaborate: As part of the nationwide return to Plan A COVID-19 measures tomorrow, the Department for Education has removed the national guidance on the use of face coverings in corridors and communal areas, returning to the situation in the Autumn where 'local directors of public health [may] recommend the use of face coverings in education settings across their area only where the department and public health experts judge the measure to be proportionate due to specific health concerns.' We have been in discussion with the UK Health Security Agency, Devon Public Health Team, and Devon Education Department, and given that we currently have 34 students who have tested positive for COVID-19 (via LFD or PCR tests) and 4 members of staff, we have been advised that on balance it would be a sensible infection control precaution for students and staff to continue to wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas.
This is a temporary measure and we will continue to routinely review the situation with directors of public health. And we will of course advise you as soon as there is any change to this advice. Please note that all other control measures remain in place, namely: Ensuring good hygiene for everyone; Maintaining appropriate cleaning regimes; Keeping occupied spaces well ventilated; and following public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19.
