Coronavirus Update – 4th November 2020

Guidance on what the new national restrictions mean for education and childcare settings

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 31 October, new national restrictions will come into force on Thursday 5 November. DfE have published information on what the new national restrictions mean for education and childcare settings.

This guidance provides sector specific information and covers the latest advice for clinically extremely vulnerable children, young people and staff, and advice on the use of face coverings in education settings.

Guidance on the use of face coverings in early years settings, schools and further education colleges

For education settings teaching pupils in year 6 and below, there is no change to the existing position on the use of face coverings following the announcement on the new national restrictions. It is not mandatory for staff and visitors to wear face coverings. In situations where social distancing between adults in settings is not possible (e.g. when moving around in corridors and communal areas), settings have the discretion to recommend the use of face coverings for adults on site, for both staff and visitors.

In schools where pupils in year 7 and above are educated and further education colleges, face coverings should be worn by adults and pupils when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained. Face coverings should also be worn by pupils in year 7 and above when travelling on dedicated school transport to secondary schools or on public transport to college.

Some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings and we expect adults and pupils to be sensitive to those needs.

Further information on the use of face coverings in early years settings, schools and further education colleges can be found in DfE guidance on the new national restrictions.

Department for Education coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline – opening hours

The Department for Education coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline is available to answer questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) relating to education settings and children’s social care.

Please listen carefully to all of the available options before selecting the most appropriate option for your nursery, school, college or university.

Please select option 1 or 2 if you require specific advice on the action to take to respond to a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your setting. This option will take you through to a dedicated team of NHS Business Services Authority advisors who will work through a risk assessment with you to identify close contacts and will inform you what action is needed based on the latest public health advice.

Please select option 3 or 4 for any other questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) relating to education settings and children’s social care.

Phone: 0800 046 8687
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm

Department for Education guidance

Our guidance to support education providers, local authorities and parents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak can be accessed using the links below:

• Guidance for early years and childcare providers
• Guidance for schools
• Guidance for further and higher education providers
• Guidance for local authority children’s services
• Guidance for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings