COVID-19 Guidance & Reporting

Important INFORMATION RE COVID-19: 5th January 2022

A message from Principal Len Tildsley

We hope you have all had a lovely break, and we look forward to welcoming you back for the start of the spring term. In response to the latest COVID Guidance for schools and colleges from the Department of Education, we will introduce some additional temporary COVID-19 measures for all our students, staff, and visitors. The changes are being implemented to help prevent the spread of the Omicron variant and to ensure that we continue to keep everyone safe and to reduce the risk of transmission.

We are asking all students and staff to follow the key measures, outlined below:

Face coverings:
From today (Tuesday 4th January 2022) students, staff and visitors are expected to wear face coverings in classrooms, communal spaces, including corridors, social areas and cafes, unless you are medically exempt.

All students/staff are expected to wear face coverings on all college buses unless you are medically exempt.

Please make sure you bring a face covering with you when coming on campus, as we only have a limited number of face coverings that are available to issue out to students.

Testing:
The Department for Education has announced that on returning back onto campus all students/staff must take a lateral flow device test, either the evening before or the morning before you return back to campus. Staff and Students are expected to continue to test twice weekly at home after that. All results from the LFD tests must be reported through the NHS, Track & trace website. The lateral flow device test kits are available either via your Progress Coach, or you can collect from at the lateral flow tests at Leek reception, Buxton Student Centre or at the ‘LFD Collect’ locations in Derby or you can order a kit of lateral flow tests online Order coronavirus (COVID[1]19) rapid lateral flow tests – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Self-Isolation if you test positive:
The 10 day self isolation period for people who test positive has been reduced to 7 days in most circumstances unless you cannot take LFD tests for any reason. Individuals may now take LFD tests on day 6 or 7 of their self isolation period. Those who receive two negative results are no longer required to complete 10 days of isolation. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 6 of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart. For more information please follow the latest government guidance found here:

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus pandemic – GOV.UK

Please ensure you continue to follow the basic rules for hygiene:

• Washing and or sanitising your hands regularly
• Cleaning/disinfecting your surroundings before and after use
• Covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze

Please also remember to wear warm clothing as we will open the windows to allow air circulation and ventilation into the buildings and classrooms.

If you have any of the main symptoms of Covid-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste), you must self-isolate and get a PCR test immediately.

If you have any worries or concerns about the new latest guidance, then please speak to your tutor or progress coach.