22 April 2022
From Monday 25 April, Public Health guidance will see the removal of mask wearing and class/year group bubbles in all education and childcare settings.
From Monday 9 May, two weeks after the return to school, Public Health guidance will reduce the lateral flow testing frequency from daily to twice weekly. Until then, pupils and staff are recommended to continue testing daily before going to school or nursery.
Other Public Health guidance such as enhanced hygiene measures and ventilation will remain. The option of reintroducing measures, including mask wearing, bubbles, and visitor restrictions, on a local level by school or year group will remain if there is evidence of escalating COVID-19 disruption and risk.
Competent Authority Ministers will be reviewing the legal requirement to isolate, following its extension last month, based on the latest public health intelligence. Until further information is announced, all Islanders must continue to isolate if they receive a positive PCR test result or are waiting for a PCR test. For more information, visit: gov.je/coronavirus
Minister for Education, Deputy Scott Wickenden, said: "I am pleased that we are in a position to reduce COVID-19 measures in education and childcare settings, in line with guidance for the wider community. The updated policy follows consultation with the Deputy Medical Officer for Health, Public Health officials, and briefings with CYPES stakeholders have also taken place.
"I would like to give thanks to schools and nurseries for all their hard work and commitment throughout the pandemic. Staff and students have had to adapt massively over the past two years, and although the pandemic is not over, it is an important step forward as we reduce measures and move forward to a new normal, allowing students and young people to enjoy greater freedoms."
Deputy Medical Officer for Health, Dr Ivan Muscat: "Following the decreased incidence in cases on Island and within school age cohorts, it is proportionate to reduce the measures in place in schools and other education settings.
"I'd like to thank parents, teachers, and students for their continued support to keep the spread of COVID-19 at a minimum within education settings. In the first 2 weeks following the return from the Easter break, students are encouraged to continue with daily LFTs. Thereafter, Public Health guidance will be reducing the frequency of LFT testing to twice weekly.
"I would also like to encourage parents and carers to review the information about vaccination for children if they have not already done so and consider getting their child vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect them against future variants and waves of infection. Even if your child has previously been infected with COVID-19, it is still very important to consider vaccination as this will ensure they have the best possible protection. Vaccination has been the key tool to get us to the stage we are at now and keeping up to date with the vaccination programme will continue to keep us safe."
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