What the limitations of Plan B Covid mean for schools

When students return to school after the Christmas holidays, they are asked to wear face masks again in the 7th grade and above – after ministers have drawn up contingency plans to keep schools open for fear of widespread teacher absences.

Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the move was designed to help “increase the number of children in school” and will only remain for as long as needed. fearing that omicron would disrupt teaching in schools.

The Telegraph also has confirmation that they include more drastic proposals gives priority to GCSE and A-Level students for face-to-face teachingif schools were affected by staff shortages.

With the latest update revealing the sequel Plan B of the Covid Measures Until January 26, according to Mr. Zahawi, the reintroduction of mandatory face masks in classrooms will last until that date.

However, there are many following the decision to reintroduce wearing masks in secondary schools, with Tory MPs, government scientific advisers, charities and parent groups, drawing attention to the long-term impact of masks on children’s mental health.

Which students should wear face masks?

The rules mean that staff, adult visitors and students aged 7 and over must wear face masks in classrooms – a step forward from moving only in and out of classrooms, such as hallways and common areas.

In primary schools, it is still recommended that staff and adults wear face masks when moving down hallways and common areas, but not in classrooms. Children in primary schools are advised against wearing headgear.

Will the bubbles come back?

The government is currently not advising the reintroduction of bubbles in schools. This means that if one student in a particular cohort is positive on Covid, the entire class or year does not need to be sent home in isolation.

School choirs and mixing during breaks can still take place.

However, the government warns that schools should ensure that contingency plans include the possibility that bubbles may need to be reintroduced for a temporary period to reduce inter-group mixing.

“Deciding to recommend the reintroduction of bubbles would not be easy and should take into account the detrimental effect they can have on the implementation of education,” he says.

Can children still go to school if their parents are positive?

All individuals who have been identified as being in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of the omicron variant alone will need to isolate themselves immediately, regardless of vaccination status and age.

A local incident management team investigating alleged cases of omicron may also take further action in schools.

But for all other students, the rules of isolation remain unchanged. Children do not need to isolate themselves if they live in the same household as someone with Covid, unless there is a suspicion or confirmed case of omicron. Instead, they are urged to undergo PCR tests to confirm their Covid status.

This article is updated daily with the latest news and government instructions.