22 October 2009
Parents are being reminded that the 48-hour rule currently in place for children returning to Jersey from areas most affected by swine flu will remain in place after half term. This means children should remain off school until they have been back in Jersey for 48 hours.
This is the same approach that has been in place since the start of this term. It means that children returning to Jersey on Saturday 31 October should return to school on Tuesday 3 November. Those returning on Sunday 1 November should come back to school on Wednesday 4 November. This advice will continue to apply to children returning during the school term from school trips, or independent travel.
The Medical Officer of Health Dr Rosemary Geller said: “I am very grateful to parents for following our advice. I think it has been instrumental in keeping swine flu at bay, as children are more easily infected by viruses than adults, and are also more likely than adults to spread their infection to others.
“Jersey seems unique in the Northern hemisphere in preventing significant spread within the island to date. Swine flu has reached epidemic proportions in France and the Chief Medical Officer for England has announced that their second flu wave has begun.
“We have now started to vaccinate health care staff and vulnerable islanders and I hope that continuing with the 48-hour rule will keep the swine flu numbers low until the vaccine can be offered more widely in Jersey. It is more important now than ever and I hope parents will continue to cooperate for the overall health of islanders.”
The Education, Sport and Culture Director, Mario Lundy, said: “Our prime concern in the Education Department is to safeguard the health of students and staff, while minimising disruption wherever possible to teaching and learning in our schools. We have managed the small number of confirmed swine flu cases to date without generally having to resort to school closures, and we hope to continue this way.”
The 48-hour rule applies only to school children. No adult need stay off work on their return to Jersey – unless they have flu symptoms.
gov.je