[ad_1]
A confirmed case of coronavirus at a school in England could result in a one-year-old group being sent home, according to new government guidelines.
If a case is confirmed, it could mean that all students in that “bubble” must be isolated for 14 days, the guide said when it was published Friday night.
A system of rotations could also be used to limit the number of pupils in secondary schools in local lockdown zones.
This would be intended to reduce a person’s contacts, helping to limit the spread of the coronavirus and give enough time at home for symptoms to appear.
The long guide said: “Ideally, schools should operate a rotational system that means students spend two weeks at the site followed by two weeks at home.
“However, schools can choose to operate a one-week rotation (that is, five days on site, followed by nine days at home) if this is necessary for effective delivery of the curriculum.”
He added: “If a case is confirmed, local public health officials will work with the school to take appropriate action, including asking all members of a student bubble to isolate themselves for 14 days and access remote education while others students continue to attend. “
The Department of Education does not specify the exact size of a “bubble”, but it can range from a small number of students to a full year group.
The guidance does not apply to elementary school children, as scientific evidence indicates that they “play a limited role in transmission.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said any change in school attendance “will only be an absolute last resort.”
But he added: “However, it is important that both the government and schools prepare for the worst case scenario, so this framework represents the sensible contingency planning that any responsible government would implement.”
Teachers have criticized the announcement and its timing, and millions of students are expected to return to school next week.
Geoff Barton, secretary general of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Waiting until Friday night before most schools return is not the prime time for government.
“Obviously, the schools have not had the slightest opportunity to incorporate this into their planning and now they will have to review the plans that they have implemented.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders union NAHT, added: “We have been asking the government for several weeks to publish a Plan B.”
“It’s finally here, but another late night post is pretty typical of what we’ve gotten used to.”
Meanwhile, the Labor Party’s shadow education secretary Kate Green said the moment “begs for faith.”
The guide also stated: “In all areas of intervention of the national government, in schools where students from the seventh year onwards are educated, adults and students must cover their faces when they move around the premises, outside the premises. classrooms, such as hallways and common areas where social distancing cannot be easily maintained. “
Official government data released on Friday revealed that the UK recorded 1,276 daily confirmed cases of COVID-19, compared to 1,522 the day before.
Thursday’s total was the highest daily count from June 12.
Nine other people have also died from coronavirus.
