Covid-19 Safely Opening Schools After Christmas Holidays

2021-12-06

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The question arises from the need to ensure school safety during the return after Christmas 2021 holidays amidst a continued covid-19 outbreak.
What steps his Department plans to take to support schools to open safely after the Christmas 2021 holidays during the covid-19 outbreak?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important issue. Reducing transmission in schools is of the utmost importance to me, and I will do everything in my power to keep schools open. We have provided guidance to settings regarding testing arrangements on their return in January.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific steps or detailed plans beyond general statements about reducing transmission and providing testing guidance.
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
Carbon dioxide monitoring is seen as a crucial tool for identifying areas within classrooms where ventilation needs improvement, helping to mitigate the spread of respiratory diseases like covid-19.
As the Secretary of State knows, carbon dioxide monitors can help to identify quickly where ventilation needs to be increased in classrooms. Will he give an update on the roll-out of these monitors in schools?
Over 99% of eligible settings have now received a CO2 monitor, with more than 320,000 now delivered. Final deliveries will be made before the end of term. Feedback from schools suggests the monitors are a helpful tool in managing ventilation, sitting alongside the other protective measures in place to manage transmission.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy