Dear Parent/Carer
We have worked hard in St Joseph’s Primary School to ensure a safe environment for all pupils and staff, and we are very grateful for the support we have received from pupils, parents and carers. It is important that we continue to work together to reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
I am writing to remind you that it is essential that pupils do not attend school in the following circumstances: –
- Pupils must not attend school if symptomatic. Pupils who develops symptoms of Covid-19 (a new, continuous cough; fever; or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste) must self- isolate straight away, stay at home and arrange a test. If the test result is negative, pupils can end isolation and return to school when they are well enough and have not had a fever for 48 hours. If the test is positive NHS Lothian Public Health will confirm the dates of self-isolation which will be 10 days from when symptoms started. Please inform the school of a positive test result as soon as possible.
- Pupils who live in the same household as a person with symptoms must also self-isolate straight away and stay at home. They must not attend school. Only the person with symptoms should be tested. If the test result is negative, the rest of their household can end isolation straight away. If the test result is positive, the rest of the household must remain in isolation for 14 days from when symptoms started, even if they don’t have symptoms themselves, as they may be incubating the infection.
- Pupils must self-isolate and stay at home if advised by Test and Protect contact tracers.
- Pupils returning from outside the United Kingdom must self-isolate and stay at home for 14 days, unless the country they return from is exempt.
- Pupils must inform a member of staff or responsible person if they feel unwell while in school with symptoms of COVID-19, and follow any instructions they are given.
You can book a test through www.nhsinform.scot or by calling 0800 028 2816.
General advice on Coronavirus (COVID119) is available at https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-general-advice
I do appreciate these rules can appear quite complicated, but they have been put in place to protect the health and well-being of pupils and staff, and also their families. It is vitally important that they are followed by all members of the school community if we are to stop the spread of coronavirus. Please remember to wear a face covering when dropping off and picking up children and collect P3-7 from in front of the school gate
Your continued co-operation and support are appreciated.
Yours sincerely
Mrs F Burns
Headteacher
