This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Children, Learning and Skills Directorate, on behalf of the Department of Education, for the attention of Early Years Providers, Schools and FE Providers.
Please see below the latest notice on the government’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice
As of 10 March, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated advice about travel to Italy. The FCO is currently advising:
- Against all but essential travel to Italy
- Against all travel to Hubei Province, in China
- Against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China
- Against all travel to the cities of Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan in South Korea
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not currently advising against travel to any other country/territory as a result of COVID-19.
The latest travel advice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Updated Advice for Travellers Returning from Italy
On 10 March, Public Health England updated its travel advice for travellers returning from Italy. The advice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
Further information on what you should do if you are asked to self-isolate can be found here: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/02/20/what-is-self-isolation-and-why-is-it-important/
The Importance of Hygiene
Personal hygiene is the most important way we can tackle COVID-19, especially washing hands more; and the catch it, bin it, kill it strategy for those with coughs and sneezes.
How to Wash your Hands Properly
Wash your hands more often for 20 seconds with soap and hot water. Watch the following short NHS film for guidance.
Teach young children how to wash their hands with the NHS handwashing song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9VjeIWLnEg
Public Health England recommends that in addition to handwashing before eating, and after coughing and sneezing, everyone should also wash hands after using toilets and travelling on public transport.
Educational Resources
The e-Bug project is led by Public Health England and has a dedicated webpage for learning resources on hand washing and respiratory hygiene.
Resources are currently available for KS1, KS2 and KS3 and can be used in various settings including schools: https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools
Department for Education Coronavirus Helpline
The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
If you work in a school, please have your unique reference number (URN or UKPRN) available when calling the helpline.
Where to Find the Latest Information
Updates on COVID-19 | https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Guidance for Educational Settings | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
Travel Advice for Those Travelling and Living Overseas | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Educational Resources:
- https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/101-coronavirus-/resources
- https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools
Latest Department for Education Information:
Please Keep Your GIAS Contacts Up To Date
If you work in a school, please take this opportunity to review your contact information in Get Information About School (GIAS).
To update your record, please go to the GIAS home page, “Sign in” using your “DfE Sign-in” credentials and select GIAS from your available services here:
