Commenting on the latest weekly influenza data published by
Public Health England, Kevin Courtney, Joint General
Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“According to this week's Government data Covid cases amongst
school children are now at higher levels even than the autumn
term peaks. (1)
“Unsurprisingly, there are now many anecdotes of parents starting
to keep children off - trying to avoid their child having to
self-isolate for the first days of a planned holiday.
“Gavin Williamson has remained silent over these increasing
outbreaks and increasing cases ever since he abandoned the
mask-wearing mandate in mid-May.
“Gavin Williamson appears to have written off this term, and his
dilatory attitude may now also write off many families' summer
holidays.
“From Monday track and trace for school children passes to the
NHS. Guidance published today says that from Monday,
‘Contacts in an educational setting will be traced if the
positive case specifically identified an individual as having
close, prolonged contact which will normally have occurred in a
social setting e.g. sleepovers.’ This is a much stricter
definition of close contact than that currently in use.
“But the responsibility this weekend still rests with school
leaders who are obliged to contact parents of close contacts on
the current definition and to tell parents their child needs to
isolate.
“Gavin Williamson needs to speak to parents and carers to explain
what will happen about summer holidays and isolation if their
child is a close contact – he shouldn't leave this messaging to
head teachers.”
ENDS
Editor’s Note
(1) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1002554/Weekly_COVID-19_and_Influenza_Surveillance_Graphs_w28.pdf
(2) https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1X5SgRwxSIBJNnAGnT8rroKeX8rVpXEJI
