๐ฆ COVID-19 Omicron Update
Mr J Sharp
Government Update
You may have heard over the weekend that the government have reintroduced some measures as a precaution against the new variant of COVID-19, named Omicron. These measures include:
All international arrivals must take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
Face coverings will be made compulsory in shops and on public transport. All hospitality settings will be exempt.
Click the image to watch the highlights from the government briefing on Omicron.
Department for Education Update
On Sunday 28th November, schools received an email from the Department for Education including the following:
Information for all education and childcare settings on new measures in response to the identification of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the UK
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 while we gather more information. We will continue to keep this under review as the situation develops.
Face coverings
Face coverings should be worn in communal areas in all settings by staff and visitors unless they are exempt.
Testing
All educational and childcare settings should continue to encourage staff to test twice weekly using lateral flow device (LFD) tests.
Contact tracing and isolation
The current guidance on contact tracing and isolation remains in place. In addition to these, any suspected or confirmed close contacts of the Omicron variant will be asked to isolate for 10 days regardless of vaccination status or age. You will be contacted directly and told to isolate.
Vaccination
All eligible staff are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine, including boosters.
Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19. They help protect young people and adults, and benefit those around them. Vaccination makes people less likely to catch the virus and less likely to pass it on.
Changes to the red list for international travel to England
Individuals arriving in England from red list countries must follow the red list rules.
South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe moved onto the red list at 12pm Friday 26 November.
Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia were added to the red list 4am Sunday 28 November.
Schools, out of school settings and colleges will want to consider whether to go ahead with planned international educational visits at this time, recognising the risk of disruption to education resulting from the need to isolate and test on arrival back into the UK.
School Update
As you will know, we are really trying to improve our attendance at the moment, as it is very low. The reintroduction of self-isolation for contacts of those who test positive for the Omicron variant, risks furthering damaging our school attendance, makes it more likely for staff to be off and increases the possibility of returning to remote learning. At the present time this will be handled by NHS Track and Trace, but it is very possible that they will need support from schools on identifying close contacts.
What we are doing until the end of term:
Assemblies and services will return to virtual and not in the hall. This includes the Nativity performance which was already going to be recorded.
Where possible, classes will use the stairs one class at a time.
Staff will need to wear face coverings in corridors and shared spaces.
Meetings will be carried out virtually and not face-to-face.
Staff will be testing themselves twice a week.
Limits will be placed on the number of staff entering rooms.
Visitors (including parents) will not be able to come into the building. Essential maintenance will be carried out with the fewest number of people in the building.
Ventilation of rooms to continue.
After-school clubs and Breakfast Club will remain open as they are for the time being.
We will be changing the seating arrangements at lunchtime to keep children sat in their classes whilst in the hall and dining room.
Visitors and external providers can continue to come into school to support children.
What we need from families:
Children must arrive on time and in the correct place. We do not want to have children coming in the front entrance unless absolutely necessary.
Ensure that if your child has symptoms they are kept off school and taken for a PCR test.
Please remember that if anyone in your household tests positive for the Omicron variant, the children MUST self-isolate for 10 days. I canโt stress too strongly how important this is. Do not try and chance it because it is inconvenient.
Please remember that masking symptoms using Calpol is not allowed, and that if a child vomits in school or at home, they must stay off school for 48 hours after the last period of vomiting.
Children must sanitise and wash their hands regularly.
We must prepare ourselves for the reintroduction of bubbles too. They are not recommended yet, but if the news on the Omicron variant isnโt good, then we could very quickly find ourselves needing to reintroduce even more restrictions.
I can promise you that neither the staff or I would wish to reintroduce restrictions, but it is extremely important that the children do not miss any more education than they already have. That, and the protection of the rest of our community, is the most important thing right now.
I donโt think there is any need for panic as we donโt yet know how the Omicron variant affects people, how much pressure the NHS will be put under and how serious it is for those who are vulnerable. We shouldn't assume the worst, but caution is the sensible approach in my view.
If you have any questions about these changes, please check our risk assessment, and/or email the school at enquiries@allsaintsnh-pri.manchester.sch.uk
Thank you again for your support, patience and understanding.
Mr J Sharp
Head Teacher