Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take during the winter period to reduce transmission of (1) SARS-CoV-2, (2) flu viruses, and (3) other respiratory, airborne diseases, in schools; and what steps they will take to encourage pupils, teachers and other staff to remain at home rather than come into the premises and spread those illnesses.

Most infectious diseases in education and childcare settings should be managed by following the advice set out in the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The advice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities.

If a school suspects an incident or outbreak, they should review and reinforce existing measures including ensuring that any staff or students with relevant symptoms stays at home for up to five days as described in UKHSA’s guidance. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19.

The department’s emergency planning and response guidance sets out how education and childcare settings should plan for and deal with emergencies. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings.

The department will continue to review any emerging evidence, public health guidance and advice to help ensure that schools remain as safe as possible.