"Premature" to close schools now

Tuesday 17 March 2020

Now is not "the right time" to close Guernsey's schools according to Public Health, who will continue to review the covid-19 situation as it evolves.

Although the service is advising people to start social distancing and avoid non-essential events, it says closing the island's schools at this stage would be "premature".

"Latest evidence is that we are not seeing the kind of seeding in the community experienced elsewhere - this is the passing of the virus from person-to-person," said Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink.

"We must also consider a range of other factors before such advice was given. For example, closing schools would lead in many cases to grandparents looking after children, which could be counter-productive given grandparents would fall into the most vulnerable group for corona virus.

Pictured: It's thought grandparents could end up caring for children, if the schools were closed.

"Closing schools could also result in the island losing key workers, in healthcare for example, who would have to be at home with their children. We must strike a balance and, based on the current evidence, we do not believe now is the right time."

While organisers have been asked to reconsider their events in the latest Public Health advice, going to work and school is currently considered 'essential'.

"We have been and remain in close dialogue with colleagues from Public Health on this," added Director of Operations for Education, Ed Ashton. "We are following their advice as we would encourage all islanders to do.

"The advice so far has been focused on limiting wherever possible events and interactions where social distancing cannot be in place. This means anything non-essential, but the running of schools and businesses is essential for many reasons.

"We will be giving schools and early years providers additional advice on how to limit close contact within their settings that isn't essential, so for example around the operation of assemblies or other groups schools run."

Pictured: ESC President, Deputy Matt Fallaize.

Public Health has issued clear advice on social distancing and how it can help to contain the spread of the virus, which is available here.

"I want to thank all education staff for their ongoing commitment to their students," said ESC President, Deputy Matt Fallaize. "We appreciate these are difficult times for teachers as they are for our community generally, and their professionalism in keeping schools focused on students' needs is commendable.

"Decisions are being guided by extensive advice from Public Health professionals. At the present time, that advice leads us to keep schools open but, of course, that may change and at every stage we will do what is in the best interests of the health of our students, teachers and whole community."