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Education Update
21 February 2022
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Education
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement outlines changes to testing requirements and other measures for schools and childcare settings as part of the Government's 'Living with COVID-19' strategy.
Action Requested
From February 24, the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test is removed. Face coverings are no longer recommended in classrooms and communal areas. The vaccination program will be extended to include all children aged 5-11 starting in April, with additional booster jabs for vulnerable groups from spring. Schools can continue using remaining test kits as needed and access the workforce fund until April 8.
Key Facts
- As of February 21, regular twice-weekly testing is no longer advised for staff and students aged secondary and above in mainstream settings.
- Staff and students in SEND, Alternative Provision, and FE colleges continue to be advised to test twice weekly.
- The legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive test ends on February 24.
- Face coverings are no longer recommended in classrooms but can be reintroduced locally by Public Health Directors if necessary.
- Over 360,000 CO2 monitors have been delivered, with up to 9,000 air cleaning devices made available.
- The vaccination programme will extend to all children aged 5-11 starting in April, offering two doses of the Pfizer vaccine eight weeks apart.
- An additional booster jab is advised for those over 75 and immunosuppressed individuals from spring.
- A total of 4.98 million patient courses of oral antiviral treatments have been secured.
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