Update to the educational setting status form to reflect changes to the guidance on face coverings and isolation
FAO: All Schools / All Phases
On Tuesday 7 December, existing questions on the education setting status form (EdSet) will be updated to reflect the recent temporary measures introduced in response to the Omicron variant. No new questions will be added to the form.
The list of additional control measures that you can implement to manage an outbreak in your setting has been updated, to reflect the new guidance on face coverings in communal areas.
As face coverings are now recommended to be worn in communal areas by staff in all settings and by pupils in secondary schools and students in colleges, their use does not need to be recorded in the EdSet. Only the use of face coverings in classrooms (which are not advised, but Directors of Public Health may temporarily advise for individual settings experiencing an outbreak) should be recorded in the EdSet as an additional control measure.
Reasons for absence related to COVID-19 will be updated to reflect the self-isolation requirement after contact with a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant.
Pupils or students who are self-isolating after contact with a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant should be recorded under ‘required to remain at home or isolate in line with government guidance’. Pupils or students required to isolate after returning from abroad or pupils or students required to isolate because they are over the age of 18 years and 6 months who are not fully vaccinated, should also be included in this category.
Staff who are self-isolating after contact with a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant should be recorded under ‘required to remain at home or isolate by NHS Test and Trace or in line with government guidance due to close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19’ either within or outside your setting.