Covid-19 contingency framework for schools updated

The Department for Education has updated its Covid-19 contingency framework for schools, explaining what should be done  in the case of local outbreaks.

The previous framework published in November said that schools should not implement restrictive measures without the agreement of the DfE, but this updated version states that councils, directors of public health and Public Health England health protection teams can recommend certain measures for individual schools or clusters of settings.

This would be to help manage outbreaks in schools, or if there is an high prevalence of Covid-19 in the community and other measures have not reduce transmission, or a if there is a variant of concern.

The guidance says that schools’ outbreak management plans should cover the possibility they are advised to limit attendance, though such restrictions should only ever be considered as a last resort, and says that schools should provide high quality remote education for pupils not attending school.

If restricted attendance is put in place, early years and primary settings should be prioritised to continue to operate as normal, although the department may advise that other groups should be prioritised.

If some attendance restrictions are needed at primary level, vulnerable children, children of critical workers, children in reception, year 1 and year 2 should still be allowed to attend. If some secondary restrictions are required, then vulnerable children and young people, children of critical workers, pupils in years 10, 11, 12 and 13, and other pupils who were due to take external exams this academic year should still be allowed to attend.

If attendance needs to be restricted further at either phase, vulnerable children and young people and children of critical workers should still be able to attend.

Schools should also make sure their outbreak management plans cover the possibility that the reintroduction of asymptomatic testing sites (ATS) is advised in their area. This could include advice to increase the use of home testing by staff, pupils and students in secondary schools and colleges.

The reintroduction of on-site testing may be advised by local directors of public health for individual settings or small clusters, or in settings across areas where an “enhanced response package” has been deemed appropriate.

The latest guidance states that outbreak management plans for secondary schools should cover the possibility that face coverings should temporarily be worn more widely in settings in their area. This would be advised by local directors of public health.

The guidance states ministers could agree to reintroduce shielding in the event of a major outbreak or variant of concern that poses a significant risk to individuals on the shielded patient list, and that schools should make sure their outbreak management plans cover this possibility, but the guidance states shielding can only be reintroduced by national government.

The guidance also says that school outbreak management plans should cover the possibility that they are asked to limit residential trips, open days, transition or taster days, parental attendance in settings and performances.