With the return of schools after the October holidays, pupils and parents are being reminded to continue to follow Scottish Government guidelines to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and for children not to come to school with symptoms or if they have not yet completed a period of isolation if required following a holiday during the October break.
Following the holidays, some families may have returned from a country or other parts of Scotland and the UK where there are much higher number of Covid cases or where a quarantine period is required. They should ensure they have self isolated for the full 14 days before pupils return to school.
Senior pupils should continue to use face coverings as directed and all pupils will be encouraged and, if needed, supported to wash their hands regularly and follow appropriate distancing within schools.
Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Fife, said: “We would like to thank pupils, parents and staff in Fife for all the actions they have taken to reduce the spread of Covid-19 throughout the last term. Through working together we have managed to avoid high numbers of cases in our schools.
“It is important to note that for children and young people, Covid-19 is usually a mild illness.
“However, with a rise in the numbers of Covid cases across the country, it is more important than ever that we remain vigilant and continue to follow the guidelines – wearing face coverings as directed, observing physical distancing, maintaining good hand hygiene and self isolating and booking a test if symptomatic.
“If a pupil is identified as a close contact of a confirmed case they should stay at home and self isolate for the full isolation period. They should not book a test unless they have symptoms as this will make no difference to their isolation period.
“We know that things are not easy but by sticking with the guidelines you are helping yourself, your family and friends, your school and the wider community.”
Head of Education and Children’s Services Shelagh McLean said that schools are looking forward to welcoming pupils back after the holidays.
She added: “Hopefully everyone has managed to have a well-earned break. Our first priority is to make sure everyone in our school communities are safe so I would urge parents and carers to be alert and remember to follow the public health advice to stop the spread of the virus.
“I’d like to reassure everyone that enhanced cleaning measure are in place in all of our school buildings and pupils and staff are being reminded of the importance of the need to keep 2m distance, hand hygiene, using surface wipes before and after using equipment and the need to wear face masks in communal areas, on school transport and where 2m distancing can't be maintained."
Fife Council has created a comprehensive list of questions and answers for parents and carers at: fife.gov.uk/schoolcovidfaqs
If you need support as a family to self-isolate visit fife.gov.uk/covidassistanceor call the Covid Community Helpline - 0800 952 0330
