Schools and public health officials in Liverpool are working closely together to make sure that children are safe, as pupils return to lessons.
An exhaustive risk assessment has been carried out by every school, covering as many scenarios as possible, and all schools have been asked to make them available on their website.
Schools have liaised closely with Public Health to put in place systems and measures to contain the spread of coronavirus if a positive case is identified.
If a case is identified at a school, it will get in touch directly with the parents of pupils affected to advise them to self-isolate and get tested if they have symptoms.
Director of Children and Young People’s Services, Steve Reddy, said: “It is great to see children returning to lessons and getting in to the routine of learning and helping them achieve their potential.
“We would ask for the ongoing co-operation of parents in relation to encouraging regular hand washing, social distancing, use of face coverings when appropriate, and limit mixing of households to help minimise the risk of bringing the virus in to school.”
“Where a case is identified, there are established procedures in place to follow and we would ask all parents to work with their child’s school, especially around social distancing at drop off and pick up time, and wearing a face covering if necessary. We would also urge children to walk, cycle or scoot to school if possible.”
Director of Public Health, Matt Ashton said: “We have been working closely with schools over the last few months and supporting them to put in place appropriate measures so that lessons can resume.
“The virus is still present in the community so it is absolutely crucial that we all work together to prevent its transmission into schools, in the same way as we would in the workplace. The lower we keep the number of cases, the less chance there is of it getting into the school environment.
“Abiding by the guidance around good hand hygiene, proactive use of face coverings and observing the limits on households mixing as well as getting a test if a household member has COVID-19 symptoms will help keep our school settings safe.”
More information is available at www.liverpoolexpress.co.uk/backtoschool
