COVID-19 School absence: A quick guide for parents/carers

A quick guide for parents and carers in Wirral around Coronavirus absence explaining what to do if your child or someone in your household shows symptoms of COVID.

  What to do if...

     Action needed...

Return to school when...
 ...My child has Coronavirus symptoms
  • DO NOT go to school
  • Contact school
  • Self-isolate
  • Get a test
  • Inform school immediately about test result
 ...the test comes back negative
 ...My child tests POSITIVE for Coronavirus
  • DO NOT got to school
  • Self Isolate for at least 10 days
  • Household to self -isolate for 14 days
  • Inform school immediately about  test result.
 ...they feel better. They can return after 10 days even if they have a cough or loss of smell/taste. These symptoms can last for several weeks once the infection has gone.
 …somebody in my household has coronavirus symptoms
  • Do not come to school
  • Contact school
  • Self-isolate
  • Household member to get a test
  • Inform school immediately about   test result
 ...the household member test is NEGATIVE.
 …somebody in my household has tested      positive for coronavirus  
  • Do not come to school
  • Contact school
  • Self-isolate for 14 days
 …the child has completed 14 days of self-isolation.  

 …NHS test and trace have identified my    child as a ‘close contact’ of somebody with  symptoms or confirmed coronavirus

 
  • Do not come to school
  • Contact school
  • Self-isolate for 14 day
 …the child has completed 14 days of self-isolation.
 …we/my child travelled  and has to self-isolate  as part of a period of quarantine  

Term time holidays, including absence as a result of needing to quarantine, are unauthorised. Returning from a destination where quarantine is needed:

  • Do not come to school
  • Contact school
  • Self-isolate for 14 days - even if a test is negative
 …the quarantine period of 14 days has been completed
 …we have received medical advice that    my child must resume shielding  
  • Do not come to school
  • Contact school
  • Shield until you are informed that restrictions are lifted and shielding is paused again  
 …school inform you that restrictions have been lifted and your child can return to school again  
 …I am not sure who should get a test for COVID -19 (coronavirus)
  • Only people with symptoms* need to get a test
  • People without symptoms are not advised to get a test, even if they are a ‘close contact’ of  someone who tests positive
 …when conditions above, as matching your situation, are met  

*Symptoms of COVID-19 include at least one of the following:

  • A high temperature
  • A new, continuous cough
  • A loss of or change to sense of smell or taste

For more information visit nhs.uk/coronavirus