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The list of jobs which are classed as 'key worker' roles during the corona virus pandemic has been released by the States of Guernsey as the island prepares to move into a new phase of life where schools and pubs are closed and strict rules apply in other areas.
As expected, health care workers are on the list - meaning their children, and others as designated by the States, will be able to attend their usual schools, colleges and Early Years Providers, which covers pre-schools, nurseries and child-minders, for the next four weeks until the end of the planned Easter holiday period.
Children and Young people with special educational needs who usually attend SEND Schools will also be able to attend their schools, if parents wish to send them. This includes Le Rondin, Le Murier, Les Voies and additional needs bases.
Guernsey College of Further Education will also be working with parents of students with special educational needs to ensure that they are supported.
These measures will be in place until the scheduled Easter holidays begin. The Education Office is also currently investigating the possibility of access to holiday provision for these students who have parents identified as key workers.
Pictured: Les Voies, Les Rondin and Le Murier schools will be open as their pupils all have special educational needs which must continue to be met.
All students of parents not defined as key workers will be required to stay at home. Parents are further told they should not rely for childcare upon grandparents, friends or family members with underlying conditions. Parents should also ensure that children observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
For children to continue to attend school during this period both parents (whether they are living together or apart) MUST be key workers. For children where one parent is a nurse, doctor or other key health or care worker or teacher and the other doesn’t fall into a key worker category, their child(ren) will be able to attend school.
Education staff will continue to work in their present school or college as normal from Monday 23rd March, unless they have received medical guidance telling them not to do so, until the end of term. Work is ongoing to collaborate with staff on provision for the children of key workers during the Easter holidays.
Those key workers on the list below have been designated by Dr Nicola Brink, the Director of Public Health.
Pictured: Dr Nicola Brink.
For the purposes of this decision by the Director of Public Health, key workers are defined as:
Private sector:
Workers ESSENTIAL to the functioning of any activity necessary to:
Ensure the continuing supply and accessibility of food and other essential goods including
Ensuring continuing health and community care services including
Those essential to law and order
Those providing private school services and daytime childcare
Maintain critical national infrastructure (essential staff)
Maintain public transport
Public service broadcasters and other mainstream news media
Private sector employers falling within the above categories should determine which roles are essential to the ability to maintain critical services.
Public service
Workers ESSENTIAL to the functioning of:
School/College leaders will also invite students to attend if they have specific circumstances of need that the school/college is aware of (for example, looked-after children).
Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier speaking at a press conference earlier this week.
Deputy Gavin St Pier, Chair of the Civil Contingencies Authority, said the list above will mean fewer than 15% of the total number of school pupils in the Bailiwick will be attending lessons, or other facilities over the next two weeks.
"We believe that between 10% and 15% of children would continue attending schools, colleges and early years providers during this temporary pause to education.
"I remain hopeful that the decision to take this action is not the beginning of a longer term closure of education providers, but we simply do not know what tomorrow will bring as we continue to assess the risks and take decisive action to protect our community.
"I want to put on record my thanks to the many dedicated education staff whose efforts cannot be underestimated as we seek to provide childcare provision for other key workers during this period."
Education Services said vital coursework and learning material can and will be provided online for Secondary school students.
Education staff are working on systems to enable coursework to be set while children are away from school. Further work is continuing and future announcements will be made when virtual classrooms can be established should the schools need to be closed for longer.
Schools will continue to support those students whose exams are currently going ahead.
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