A LETTER has been sent out to parents of children at Alvechurch C of E Middle School to reassure them over coronavirus fears.
Forty eight pupils and five members of staff are currently on a skiing trip in northern Italy but the resort is said to be ‘well removed’ from Category 1 areas where some Italian towns are in lock down.
Headteacher Mr David Snell said: “The parents of pupils on that trip, and the staff attending, have been provided with the latest Public Health information for people returning from northern Italy but not in the main Category 1 zones.
“The advice says that there is no need to self-isolate but to carry on as normal unless they start to show any symptoms.
“Our party is not travelling back through any Category 1 zones, are staying on the Swiss border and will return through Geneva.”
Mr Snell added the school will be taking sensible precautionary measures including putting in place the hygiene message of ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’.
Also additional cleaning supplies, cleaning regimes during the day, and extra hand gel will be provided to pupils and staff.
“We will emphasise to all students and staff the importance of high levels of hand hygiene and would be grateful if parents could remind their children of this regularly.
“The requirements for careful personal hygiene are very important at this time of year because of many different viruses.
“We will keep parents informed of any changes to the advice given to us by Public Health England and would advise you that, if in doubt, you should seek further assistance from the NHS.”
Travellers returning from a Category 1 zones should self-isolate, even if asymptomatic, and call the NHS on 111 to inform of recent travel.
For more information visit: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
