Schools across NI given new guidance for reopening

by Q Radio News

Schools across Northern Ireland have received updated guidance for reopening including relaxed social distancing rules. 

Education Minister Peter Weir says the 'New School Day' advice will help prepare schools for the new school year. 

It takes into account advice from Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, Chief Scientific Officer, Ian Young and information from SAGE. 

Minister Weir said social distancing between children may be eased in the presence of other mitigations, such as hygiene measures. 

However, the 2 metre rule still stands for adults in schools. 

Meanwhile, the wearing of face masks is acceptable but not recommended for routine use. 

Minister Weir said: “My strategic objective has always been for the full-time resumption of classroom-based learning for all pupils as soon as possible, and when appropriate to do so.  

“This latest guidance takes into account the Executive’s agreement of 6 August that the requirement for strict social distancing between children may be relaxed in the presence of other mitigations.  

“In many ways, it reinforces practices we have all become accustomed to, promoting regular hygiene practices on arrival at schools and throughout the school day, and the application of the “catch it, bin it, kill it” principles.    

“It also acknowledges that current social distancing guidance of 2m must continue to be followed between adults within the education sector.”

The guidance is part of an overall Restart Programme and has been co-designed by the Department of Education, school leaders and key partners.

Engagement with a consultation group comprising Managing Authorities, trade unions and sectoral support bodies as part of an ongoing process has been in place since March 2020. 

Minister Weir added, “I have at all times recognised the stresses felt by teachers, parents and pupils due to the ongoing disruption and uncertainty regarding the future.  

“That is why I would urge all in our society to continue to play their part in addressing the challenges posed by Covid-19.

“The first step in keeping our schools safe is that anyone with symptoms should not attend school. Parents should not send their children to school if they have any of the Covid-19 symptoms such as:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

“Within school, in circumstances where strict social distancing between children cannot reasonably be applied, the use of ‘protective bubbles’, decreasing interaction and movement around the school must be followed.  This additional mitigating measure has been applied successfully by other countries in their arrangements for reopening of schools.

“The guidance also promotes a flexible approach to use of existing spaces as a means of maximising face-to-face teaching opportunities and provides the framework within which workforce planning can now be developed.”

Concluding the Minister said: “This guidance will remain agile and will continue to reflect public health advice. We will continue to keep under review all medical and scientific developments.”