Management Information Sheet

Norfolk Director of Public Health appeal to parents and carers to continue testing

Please consider sharing this letter from the Director of Public Health with parents and carers. This letter is a direct appeal to continue testing.

Final roadmap step (Step 4) and transition out of lockdown

Following the publication of the guidance we referenced in our previous MI Sheet 126/21 which outlined what the final step 4 of the roadmap means for settings, we are pleased to confirm that the following documents have been updated to reflect the new government guidance on the operation of educational settings from Step 4. As some of the changes are significant the documents have been completely refreshed as follows:

Compliance code for educational settings

• Measures relating to ventilation and hand hygiene remain the same
• Enhanced cleaning regimes must remain, but the frequency of cleaning and disinfection can be determined on a risk basis
• Whilst bubbles and formal social distancing requirements no longer apply consideration to reducing the number, duration and frequency of contacts remain such as through staff cohorting, utilisation of outside space, utilisation of technology for meetings, reducing pinch points and areas of congestion and designing layouts to support respectful distancing

Educational Settings risk assessment has been updated to reflect these changes as has the Educational Settings Risk Assessment Summary. An alternative to these documents has also been provided: The General Risk Assessment Template.

A new document Educational Settings Contingency Planning has been added to the site. This provides an overview of the measures settings need to plan the reintroduction of in the event of Public Health advice to do so following an outbreak, cluster or general increased community levels. The guidance also provides a template to support development of your plans.

All other guidance and templates that can be found on our Coronavirus (COVID-19) health, safety and wellbeing - Schools website will be reviewed over the summer and updated as appropriate. Some will remain unchanged such as individual risk assessments and others may no longer be required such as the separate risk assessment for swimming pool use.

We are working with public health colleagues to understand what the roadmap step 4 changes will mean in terms of case management. We are seeking to define how in future those settings with outbreaks who are in need will be identified and supported, including when it will be appropriate for public health experts to consult with a setting to consider if contingency plans will need to be invoked. We know government strategy has shifted emphasis to learning to live with the virus with an emphasis on protection of the adult population through vaccination (with children being very unlikely to suffer adverse health outcomes from the virus). We are working hard to identify the practical changes this will mean for you all, but would like to reassure you that as soon as we understand the way forward we will communicate this with you. We would also like to thank you for your continued patience as thinking in this area develops and evolves over the summer.

We would also like to re-iterate our recommendation in MI Sheet 126/21 to continue to apply the current systems of controls and management of cases guidance until the start of the summer holiday period. Meaning your existing bubbles, and social distancing measures should where possible remain in place for the last days of this term.

Please also note that the DfE have updated their Schools COVID-19 operational guidance (applies from Step 4) guidance (and equivalent guidance for early years, specialist settings, higher education, and specific transport guidance) to clarify that, from 19 July, government is removing the requirement to wear face coverings in law but expects and recommends that they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces where you may come into contact with people you don't normally meet. This includes public transport and dedicated transport to school or college. This is reflected in our updated Compliance Code and Risk Assessment.

Autumn ATS Testing in secondary schools, specialist settings and colleges

You will already be aware that students should receive two on-site lateral flow device tests, on their return in the autumn term. These will be conducted using your existing Asymptomatic Test Site (ATS). Settings may commence testing from three working days before the start of term and can stagger return of pupils across the first week to manage this. We would encourage you to consider the following when planning ATS testing in your setting.

• Review the guidance - There is new Rapid Testing for Secondary Schools and Colleges from July 2021 guidance along with further detailed information and training on the Secondary Schools & Higher Education Document Sharing Platform.
• Consent for testing - You will need to gain consent to test new Year 7 pupils as they will not have undertaken ATS testing before - details of how to do this can be found on the Secondary Schools & Higher Education Document Sharing Platform. When year 7 pupils' transition to at-home testing, it is important to note that this not require written medical consent, as consent is given by completing the test.
• Bulk Uploading results from ATS testing - Changes come into effect from 18th August, please ensure you are familiar with them. The Rapid Testing for Secondary Schools and Colleges from July 2021 guidance and the digital handbook will help you to understand these changes.
• Managing the transition to new ATS LFD Tests (Orient Gene) - From 10 May 2021, the LFD test device kits your school or college receives for on-site ATS tests have been different. Details of the differences are set out in the one-page information leaflet, and full training can be found on the Secondary Schools & Higher Education Document Sharing Platform.
• Specialist settings - We would encourage these settings to consult the Rapid asymptomatic testing in specialist settings (applies from Step 4) guidance when planning their ATS testing.

Full guidance and more detailed information for ATS testing planning and training can be found on the Secondary Schools & Higher Education Document Sharing Platform.