NEW COVID ADVICE – Autumn 2023

Public Health have issued new guidance for all families which they have asked that we share with you in order to try to reduce household transmission

As we learn to live safely with COVID-19, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. These actions will also help to reduce the spread of other respiratory infections.

LFD testing is no longer a requirement for individuals other than those who would be eligible for COVID-19 treatments, we would not expect children to be tested but do understand some parents will still have access to unused test kits and wish to confirm.

The ‘exclusion’ guidelines for COVID-19 are as follows:

• For under 18s the guidance (if someone has LFD tested – not sure why they would have) is 3 days away from school/nursery/college as long as feeling well and does not have a temp.

• For over 18s who have LFD tested and COVID-19 positive, guidance is to stay away from others for 5 days, or 10 days away from immunocompromised individuals. However, people who do not work in health and social care, or who are not eligible for antivirals or treatments should no longer be testing.
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• For over 18s who haven’t tested – guidance is return to work etc when you feel well enough to do so and don’t have a temperature.

All IPC advice re: hand washing, encouraging ventilation, environmental cleaning etc remains important to reduce transmission of respiratory infection, and of course flu vaccination for staff, including pregnant staff, and eligible students.

We would also encourage you to read NHS ‘Is my child too ill for school?’ guidance