Dear Parent/Carer,
From tomorrow Monday 17th January, people who are self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature. For example, if they test negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day6, they can return to their education or child care setting immediately on day 6.
The first test must be taken no earlier than day5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. All test results should be reported to NHS test and Trace. In addition, the NHS confirmation of the test results should be sent to school via email to enquiries@springfield.sandwell.sch.uk.
If the result of either of the tests is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days self-isolation, whichever is earlier.
Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests or anyone who continues to have a high temperature will need to complete the full 10 period of self-isolation.
The government is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus and is taking actions at home and abroad.
Department for Education Coronavirus helpline - There is a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)