Safe Operating Procedure

Updated 6 April 2022

The population now has much stronger protection against COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic. This means we can begin to manage the virus like other respiratory infections, thanks to the success of the vaccination programme and access to antivirals, alongside natural immunity and increased scientific and public understanding about how to manage risk.

For education and childcare settings from Friday 1 April:

Staff:

  • Adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature.
  • Adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, if possible, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice will be 3 days

Children:

  • Children who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can go back to nursery when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.

Testing

  • Regular asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended in any education or childcare setting, and children’s social care settings. Therefore, settings will no longer be able to order test kits
  • From 1 April, the Government will remove the free Covid-19 testing programme in England, meaning people will need to purchase rapid or PCR tests to check their Covid status.
  • In Hackney, five Council-operated testing centres in Stoke Newington, Dalston, Hackney Central, Homerton and Stamford Hill will close for in-person testing and collection of home kits. Two additional home test pick-up points will also close.

Managing COVID-19 in education and childcare settings from Friday 1 April:

People are encouraged to follow five simple steps to stay safe from Covid:

  • If possible, stay home – for at least five days if you you’re feeling unwell, have symptoms and test positive
  • Get vaccinated – protect yourself and others
  • Ventilate your space – ventilate and let fresh air in during meetings
  • Wear a face covering – especially around those who are not part of your household
  • Wash your hands regularly – for at least 20 seconds