Coronavirus Precautions
Advice for places of education from Public Health England
How serious is the coronavirus?
It can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough & difficulty breathing
the infection is not serious for most people, including children
there is currently no vaccine
most people get better with enough rest, water to drink and medicine for pain
How likely are you to catch the virus?
You can only catch it if you have been close to a person who has the virus
the chance of being in contact with the virus is currently low in the UK
if you have travelled to areas where many people are infected, your chance of catching the virus is higher, i.e. China and any affected areas
How can you stop coronavirus spreading?
If you need to cough or sneeze, catch it with a tissue, bin it and kill it by washing your hands with soap and water
Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser
Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Do not share items that come into contact with your mouth such as cups and bottles
If unwell, do not share items such as bedding, dishes, pencils and towels
What should you do if you feel unwell?
Keep away from others and stay at home to stop the infection spreading.
Avoid public transport if you think you have symptoms of coronavirus.
If you become unwell at a place of education, tell a member of staff and let them know if you have travelled to any other countries in the last 14 days.
If your staff member or parent thinks you have symptoms of coronavirus, they should call NHS 111 for advice.
Follow the UK Government advice for childcare or educational settings gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19.
Parents can visit NHS.UK to find out more information. Teachers and support staff should follow the UK Government advice.
Staff, students and pupils who have returned from Wuhan and Hubei Province in China should self isolate, and NOT attend education or work for 14 days.
The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education.
Staff, parents and students can contact the helpline by telephone and email:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
The helpline is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
The government will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and take further action as needed. You can find the latest information and advice on COVID-19 and the latest guidance for educational settings on the GOV.UK website.
