Public Health England (PHE) is the body through whom all of the latest guidance and information is being produced and distributed.
Schools have been advised to include links to the resources rather than producing their own or downloading information produced by others. This means that the latest information will be available through the links rather than schools needing to update already downloaded information as and when new information becomes available.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in December 2019. Public Health England is working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus. Read the latest information about the situation in the UK, along with guidance for what to do if you think you’re at risk. Go to NHSUK/coronavirus for information about the virus and how to protect yourself. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to check if you need medical help.
We think it is important to make parents aware that the DfE are keeping schools up to date also. As you would expect there are a great many similarities and duplicates in terms of links.
Department for Education There is currently a daily email to keep you updated on the government’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Government Coronavirus action plan. This document sets out what the UK as a whole has done to tackle the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and what it plans to do next. The action plan can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan The document includes:
what we know about the virus and the disease it causes
how we have planned for an infectious disease outbreak, such as the current coronavirus outbreak
the actions we have taken so far in response to the current coronavirus outbreak
what we are planning to do next, depending upon the course the current coronavirus outbreak takes
the role the public can play in supporting this response, now and in the future
Current advice remains in place: No school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless advised to do so by Public Health England.
The importance of hygiene Personal hygiene is the most important way we can tackle COVID-19, especially washing hands more; and the catch it, bin it, kill it strategy for those with coughs and sneezes.
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Department for Education Coronavirus helpline On 02 March we launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows: Phone: 0800 046 8687 Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)