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A quick guide for parents and carers about covid -19 absence

Symptoms include at least one of the following:

  • a high temperature
  • a new continuous cough
  • a loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste. 

For more information about symptoms visit NHS: Coronavirus symptoms

For more information about being back at school visit www.gov.uk/backtoschool

What to do ifAction neededBack to school
my child has COVID-19 (coronavirus) symptoms?
  • child shouldn't attend school
  • child should get a test
  • whole household self isolates while waiting for test result
  • inform school immediately about test results
when child's test comes back negative
my child tests positive for COVID 19?
  • child shouldn't attend school
  • child self isolates for at least 10 days from when symptoms started (or from day of test if no symptoms)
  • inform the school immediately about test results
  • whole household self isolates for 10 days from day when symptoms started (or from day of test if no symptoms) even if someone tests negative during those 10 days

when child feels better, and has been without a fever for at least 48 hours.

They can return to school after 10 days even if they have a cough or loss of smell / taste. These symptoms can last or several weeks once the infection is gone.

somebody in my household has COVID-19 (coronavirus) symptoms?
  • child shouldn't attend school
  • household member with symptoms should get a test
  • whole household self isolates while waiting for test result
  • inform school immediately about test results
when household member test is negative, and child does not have COVID 19 symptoms.
somebody in my household has tested positive for COVID 19?
  • child shouldn't attend school
  • whole household self isolates for 10 days from day when symptoms started (or from day of test if no symptoms) even if someone tests negative during those 10 days)
when child has completed 10 days of self isolation, even if they test negative during the 10 days.
NHS Test and Trace has identified my child as a 'close contact' of somebody with symptoms or confirmed COVID 19?
  • child shouldn't attend school
  • child self isolates for 10 days (as advised by NHS Test and Trace) even if they test negative during those 14 days
  • rest of household does not need to self isolate, unless they are a 'close contact' too
when the child has completed 10 days of self isolation, even if they test negative during those 10 days.
we / my child has travelled and has to self isolate as part of a period of quarantine?
  • do not take unauthorised leave in term time
  • consider quarantine requirements and FCO advice when booking travel
  • provide information to school as per attendance policy

Returning from a destination where quarantine is needed:

  • child shouldn't attend school
  • whole household self isolates for 10 days even if they test negative during those 10 days
when the quarantine period of 10 days has been completed for the child, even if they test negative during those 10 days.
we have received advice from a medical / official source that my child must resume shielding?
  • child shouldn't attend school
  • contact school as advised by attendance officer / pastoral team
  • child should shield until you are informed that restrictions are lifted and shielding is paused again
when school / other agencies inform you that restrictions have been lifted and your child can return to school again.
I am not sure who should get a test for COVID-19?
  • only people with symptoms need to get a test
  • people without symptoms are not advised to get a test, even if they are a 'close contact' of someone who tests positive
when conditions above, as matching your situation, are met.

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