Council sets out additional safety measures in schools and early years settings to help stop spread of virus

A letter has been sent to schools, early years providers and parents and carers by Cheshire West and Chester Council setting out some additional precautionary measures in schools and early years settings to help reduce the COVID-19 transmission rates in the area.

The letter, from the Council’s Director of Public Health, highlights that, along with the national trend, there has been a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases within communities across the borough. In response to this increase the Council are putting in place a range of local interventions to try to prevent any further spread of the virus. 

The following measures have been introduced from today (Monday 28 September 2020).

• All adults to wear a face covering when visiting or entering the school/early years premises including outdoor yard areas.

• Parents/carers to arrive and leave promptly when dropping off/collecting their child – please do not congregate and maintain social distancing as we know that the virus is easily transmitted from person to person.

• In schools/early year settings where it has been agreed that a parent/carer can enter the school premises for drop-off and pick-up, only one adult should enter.

• All staff to wear face coverings when they come out of the building onto the playground during drop-off and pick-up times.

• Young people to avoid congregating outside school and mixing with other schools and should go directly home. 

Ian Ashworth, Director of Public Health for Cheshire West and Chester Council, said; “The co-operation of all staff, parents/carers, children and young people adhering to these additional measures is paramount to us successfully reducing the transmission of the virus locally. 

“You have all done amazing work, acting as one community team to help reduce the risk of further spread. I would like to thank everyone for their hard work and continued commitment during these difficult times.”

Councillor Bob Cernik, Cabinet Member for Children and Families said: “Schools and early years settings have worked incredibly hard to put additional safety measures in place to welcome children back for the autumn term to continue with their education. It’s important that everyone plays their part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases when entering their premises. If you are dropping off or collecting your child at their school or early year setting please follow the advice set out in the letter and the latest NHS and Government guidance.”

If anyone within your household does display COVID-19 symptoms (high temperature, new and persistent cough, loss or change in sense of taste or smell), stay at home and arrange a free test through www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119 so contact tracing can then help prevent the spread of the virus.

If you have symptoms and have been tested, play your part to protect your community by self-isolating for 10 days or 14 days if you are a contact of a confirmed case and have been alerted to do so by a contact tracer.