New covid guidance for schools after Easter

Thursday 07 April 2022

The States have announced a further relaxation of certain covid measures when schools return after the Easter holidays, but mask wearing in classrooms, communal areas, and on school transport will initially remain in place for all.

Education also provided guidance for the upcoming GCSE, A-Level and IB examinations: students will not be required to test prior to each exam, but they should continue to have access to LFTs in case they become symptomatic.

Any student who has symptoms but feels well enough to take an exam should take an LFT. If negative they can sit their exam but are asked to please notify a relevant teacher.  Those testing positive will not be allowed to attend exams, and support will be available to arrange an alternative.

All students and staff will also be asked to take an LFT the day before they return to schools, and another on the day of return.

Routine surveillance testing will stop across all settings, but the States are still encouraging LFT use if anyone in education becomes symptomatic or if they are the household contact of a positive case.

Non-household contacts do not need to test unless symptomatic which aligns with the wider community guidance currently in place.

Pictured: Exams will take place in schools this summer, but students with covid will not be permitted to attend.

The full list of measures in place after Easter include:

• Initially, for the first week of term, that face coverings are worn by staff and students in classrooms and communal in secondary and post-16 settings. This is a precautionary measure to maintain operational delivery and will be reviewed very closely.
• Staff in primary schools are expected to wear face coverings in situations indoors where physical distancing between adults is not possible.
• Face coverings for students in Years 7 - 13 should be worn on school transport, this includes any transport offsite during the school day. Younger children who are able to wear a face covering should be supported to do so.
• Anyone receiving a positive LFT result is asked to:
  • -Please notify the States of Guernsey via either the online form HERE, or via the clinical helpline on 220001 or 220002.
  • -You will receive a confirmation email. All positive cases will be requested to stay at home for 10 days with early release if they are asymptomatic and LFT negative from day 5 and again 24 hours later.
  • -You will be asked to notify your close contacts.