Following the announcement of the ‘Living with COVID-19′ strategy, Walsall Council has issued updated guidance to parents and carers to help keep children safe in education settings.
In summary, if a child feels unwell and develop symptoms, parents are asked to continue testing by booking a PCR test for their child, and education settings can, in some circumstances, refuse the attendance of children with symptoms of COVID-19.
If a child tests positive, parents are asked to notify the education setting, and ensure their child isolates for at least five full days, with two negative lateral flow tests taken on consecutive days before their return
And parents, carers and secondary aged children are urged to continue taking lateral flow tests through to 31st March, when further announcements are expected from the government.
Further advice has been issued to parents and carers across Walsall in a letter, which is available to read on Walsall Council’s website here.
Director of Public Health, Stephen Gunther, said: “Despite restrictions being lifted, it’s important to remember that it will take time for us to adapt and learn to live safely with the virus in the borough – it has not gone away.
“There are certain control measures that we have asked nurseries, childminders, schools and colleges to continue to maintain to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in their setting. We’re asking parents and carers to continue to support our education settings by adhering to these guidelines.”
Councillor Stephen Craddock, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, said: “As we learn to live with the virus, it is incredibly important to continue wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, wash your hands regularly and follow good respiratory hygiene by following ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’.
“The vaccine still remains our best form of defence against the virus, it is never too late to come forward for the vaccine. Our walk-in vaccination centres, including the Saddler’s Centre in Walsall Town Centre, remains open throughout March, as well as appointments being available for those who have not yet had a 1st, 2nd or booster dose.
“The COVID-19 case rate and the impact on Walsall education settings continues to be monitored very closely and I would like to thank our public health team and school staff for their outstanding dedication to keeping our children in education during these difficult times.”
