Critical / Key Worker Information
Coronavirus | Information Update
As you will be aware, the global situation concerning Coronavirus is changing constantly and we are adhering to government advice and guidance. This is as follows:
Government Coronavirus action plan
On Tuesday 3rd March, the Government launched a Coronavirus action plan. This document sets out what the UK as a whole has done to tackle the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and what it plans to do next.
The action plan can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan
Action plan overview:
The action plan sets out a four phased approach in response to the Coronavirus – Contain, Delay, Mitigate, and Research. An approach designed by world leading experts.
As there are a growing numbers of cases in the UK, the current emphasis is on the Delay phase, but planning for Mitigation is already in train.
As part of the action plan, the Government have been providing advice about educational settings in England, which can be found on Public Health England’s website. They also launched a Department for Education helpline to manage the flow of increasing queries, from providers, parents and young people.
Personal hygiene is the most important way we can tackle the Coronavirus, especially washing hands more; and the catch it, bin it, kill it strategy for those with coughs and sneezes will also help in delaying the peak of the infection.
The action plan is a framework that outlines the types of options open to the Government in each of these four phases. But this document is only a list of the types of measures they could consider – not those they are planning to implement.
Current advice remains in place: No school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) Coronavirus case unless advised to do so by Public Health England.
The importance of hygiene:
On Wednesday 4th March, the Department of Health and Social Care launched a public information campaign that focuses on the importance of handwashing. Washing hands for 20 seconds is central to prevent and slow the spread of Coronavirus. Further information can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-information-campaign-focuses-on-handwashing
Department for Education Coronavirus helpline:
On Monday 2nd March, the Department for Education launched a new helpline to answer questions about Coronavirus related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
Where to find the latest information:
Updates on Coronavirus:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Guidance for educational settings:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
Travel advice for those travelling overseas:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Latest Department for Education information: