Face coverings

Monday 29th November

Face coverings will be mandatory in all communal areas and classrooms. If you don’t have one, please see a staff member when entering a site.

Face coverings should be worn in communal areas and classrooms. Close contacts of people with the new Covid variant Omicron should isolate for 7 days (or until they have two negative lateral flow tests), regardless of vaccination status. If you have been in close contact with someone with the Omicron variant, you will be contacted directly by NHS track and trace and instructed to isolate. Students should continue to wear face coverings on public and college transport.

We are asking you to wear face coverings in all classrooms, corridors, social areas, food services areas etc and only remove them when you are seated while eating and drinking.

As of 3 January 2022, the key changes relate to face coverings and length of time to isolate which are summarised below:

Face Coverings

In addition to face coverings being required in communal areas, the guidance now recommends that learners wear face coverings in classrooms and other teaching areas such as workshops. This does not apply in situations where wearing a face covering would impact on the ability to take part in exercise or strenuous activity, for example during sports lessons and physical activity.

The latest guidance does not expect teachers to wear a face covering whilst teaching students if you are at the front of the class, to support education delivery.

Self-Isolation

The 10-day self-isolation period for staff and students who record a positive PCR test result for COVID-19 has been reduced to 7 days in most circumstances unless they cannot test for any reason.

Individuals may now take LFD tests on day 6 and day 7 of their self-isolation period. Those who receive two negative test results are no longer required to complete 10 full days of self-isolation. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 6 of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart. If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, you may end your self-isolation after the second negative test result and return to your education or childcare setting from day 7.

Thank you for your co-operation as we continue to work together.

#LanyardAndMaskIsAllWeAsk