Statement from Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire, Jonathan Gribbin – 27th August 2020.
“Everybody wants their children to benefit from school which is so important for their wellbeing, education and opportunities in life. But with the new school term just a few days away, I understand it’s a time of concern for many parents and carers.
It’s important to know that schools have been working hard to put sensible precautions in place to reduce potential transmission and minimise any risk to staff and pupils.
Schools will have plans in place to offer education to pupils remotely if they need to self-isolate.
You can also be reassured that transmission rates among children and teenagers are a lot lower than adults, and among those who do catch COVID-19, the majority have mild symptoms or no symptoms at. But we all need to do our bit to stop the spread of the virus. As part of this it’s vital that you and your children follow the guidance on travelling to school safely. Please walk or cycle if possible.
If you are travelling more than 2 miles and transporting your child please drop them off at a safe, walking distance from the school, taking their age and mobility into account. Please avoid dropping them off at the school gate.
As you may have heard, secondary pupils in local lockdown areas of England will have to wear face coverings in school corridors from the beginning of September. This does not currently apply to any schools in Nottinghamshire. However, secondary school head teachers in the county may decide to use their discretion to require face coverings in communal areas, where social distancing is not possible.”