Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the situation relating to covid-19, what advice his Department is providing to parents of young children with chronic lung conditions; and whether those children can be removed from schooling.

Schools in the United Kingdom closed on Friday 20 March 2020. Only children of key workers, and some children that attend special schools, may continue to attend school after this date.

People who have been identified by their general practice as being high risk from COVID-19 infection will receive a letter from the National Health Service this week telling them what additional precautions they need to take. Guidance on social distancing and vulnerable people is available to view here at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

The stay at home guidance is available to view here at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Local Health Protection Teams from PHE will work with the Local Education Authority, headteachers, principals or management teams, to advise on the management of children, pupils, students or staff in relation to COVID-19.

General PHE advice on COVID-19 is updated regularly and can be viewed here at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public