Yesterday UK PM Boris Johnson made a significant statement to the UK Parliament on the plan for relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions and the return to school.
The target for vaccinations in the top 4 priority groups has been met, and the other key metrics (infection rates, hospital admissions, hospital occupancy) are at acceptable levels and heading in the right direction.
Restrictions will be relaxed in 4 phases, each phase being separated by 5 weeks so the effect on infection rates can be assessed before progressing.
In Phase 1, commencing 8th March, all schools will be permitted to re-open for all children. In practice, there may be a phased return as individual schools manage the (voluntary) lateral flow Covid tests offered to all pupils returning to face-to-face teaching. The BSA has established that boarding may also resume from 8th March.
As previously advised, public examinations have been cancelled, and guidance on alternative assessment methods is expected by the end of February. The governing boards for IGCSE, IA and Pre-U exams have now decided to follow this approach, so these exams have also been cancelled for England this year.
Your schools will be contacting you with specifics of their plans and dates to welcome boarders back and resume F2F teaching.
There was no new guidance on international travel.
Please start looking to book return flights and do the necessary pre-trip prep required to comply with the current travel regulations.
We can either have a Zoom call or please email us to talk through any questions you have about the quarantine and passenger arrangements in place when your child returns. We can discuss any concerns you have about safety, returning and the arrangements that will be in place.
CGA Covid Update 22-Feb-21
Today UK PM Boris Johnson made a significant statement to the UK Parliament on the plan for relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions and the return to school.
The target for vaccinations in the top 4 priority groups has been met, and the other key metrics (infection rates, hospital admissions, hospital occupancy) are at acceptable levels and heading in the right direction.
Restrictions will be relaxed in 4 phases, each phase being separated by 5 weeks so the effect on infection rates can be assessed before progressing.
In Phase 1, commencing 8th March, all schools will be permitted to re-open for all children. In practice, there may be a phased return as individual schools manage the (voluntary) lateral flow Covid tests offered to all pupils returning to face-to-face teaching. The BSA has established that boarding may also resume from 8th March.
As previously advised, public examinations have been cancelled, and guidance on alternative assessment methods is expected by the end of February. The governing boards for IGCSE, IA and Pre-U exams have now decided to follow this approach, so these exams have also been cancelled for England this year.
There was no new guidance on international travel. To the best of our understanding, the current restrictions and requirements are as follows:
• You cannot currently enter the UK if you’ve been in or through a country on the banned travel list (the ‘red list’ – including S.America, Portugal, Southern Africa, UAE).
• You must have proof of a negative Covid test to travel to the UK.
The test must be taken in the 3 days before you depart.
You must submit an online Public Health Passenger Locator Form, no earlier than 48 hours before your arrival.
• When you arrive in England you must:
Quarantine in the place you’re staying for 10 days .
Take 2 Covid tests, on day 2 and day 8 of quarantining. These must be booked before you travel.
• When you leave quarantine, you must follow the National Lockdown rules including staying “at home” leaving only for the few permissible reasons, one of which is to attend education.
Vaccinations
Over 17 million adults have received at least the first dose, covering all of the top 4 priority groups. Rollout is continuing into the next priority groups, and also the administering of second doses. The new target is to have all UK adults inoculated by the end of July.
The current vaccines in use in the UK have not been approved for use in children (those under 18 years of age). Clinical trials are starting to investigate safety, efficacy and effect on transmission, but there is no plan at present for the mass vaccination of children.
The 4 phases of lockdown easing (England)
1. 1a. From 8th March, all schools and colleges will open for all year groups for face to face teaching, with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed. Twice weekly Covid testing for secondary school children.
2 people from different households can meet for recreation in outdoor public spaces.
1b. From 29th March, outdoor gatherings of up to 6 people or 2 households, and some outdoor sports will be allowed, just in time for the school Spring holiday.
No mixing indoors, no holidays, minimize travel.
2. From 12th April, all retailers, hairdressers, indoor leisure (incl gyms), food and drink served outdoors (eg beer gardens), self-contained accommodation (for domestic overnight stays – so holidays are permitted (not international). The government has launched a review of global travel, which will report on 12th April, giving the possibility of international travel being permitted from 17th May.
3. 17th May – Indoor hospitality, theatre, concerts, spectator sports events. Hotels/all accommodation can open. All outside activities are permitted.
4. 21st June – Hopefully a return to more normal living, with the removal of all restrictions on social contact.
The four conditions that must be met at each phase of lockdown easing are:
1. The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go to plan
2. Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying with the virus or needing hospital treatment
3. Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions
4. New variants of the virus do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions