Date: 25^th February 2020

Dear Headteacher,

Re: COVID–19 Advice for schools and educational settings

You may be aware that advice for travellers from affected areas has recently changed and it has come to our attention that this may affect children and staff returning from school trips. Please be aware that this is a fast-evolving situation and we will continue to share any new advice at the earliest opportunity.

As of today (25^th February) advice for returning travellers is as follows;

1) If you have returned from the following areas since February 19, call NHS111 to inform them of your recent travel, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even if you do not have symptoms:

• Iran
• Specific lockdown areas in Northern Italy* as designated by the Government of Italy:

In the Lombardy Region:

• Bertonico; Casalpusterlengo; Castelgerundo; Castiglione D'Adda; Codogno; Fombio; Maleo; San Fiorano; Somaglia; and Terranova dei Passerini

In the Veneto Region: Vo

A map has been published to help detail the relevant areas.

• Daegu or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea)
• Hubei province, China (returned in the past 14 days)

2) If you have returned from the following areas since February 19^th:

• Northern Italy (see map)
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Myanmar
   

Or If you have returned to the UK from any of the following areas in the last 14 days:.

• Other parts of China outside Hubei province
• Thailand
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Macau

You should stay indoors at home and avoid contact with other people immediately and call NHS111 only if you develop symptoms.

Information for the public: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public

Occasionally, one or more of your staff or pupils may be asked to self-isolate because they are a contact of a confirmed case or have been to the specified towns and regions in Italy or other specified countries. The student or staff member will be given specific advice from NHS111. In this instance there is nothing further for the school to do. There is no need for schools to close.

Headteachers should speak to the Public Health England North West Health Protection Team if they have any specific concerns with regard to self-isolated pupils or staff and / or their school contacts and the rest of pupils and staff.

Yours sincerely

Public Health England