Continued use of face coverings in schools

A letter is being sent to parents and carers of children  who go to schools in Blackburn and Darwen advising them that the use of face coverings in these schools will be continuing.

The letter, from Jayne Ivory, Strategic Director of Children and Education, Councillor Julie Gunn, Executive member for Children, Young People and Education and Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen Director of Public Health, explains the reasons behind the decision as the borough faces rising cases of the new Covid-19 variant:

Thank you for your ongoing support during the pandemic by continuing to follow the latest government guidance.

On Monday, the Prime Minister announced changes linked to England’s progress along the roadmap out of lockdown. This included the intention to relax measures for the use of face coverings in schools from Monday 17th May. The exception to this is for those areas where there are local outbreaks.

In our locality and in neighbouring areas there are cases of a variant of SARS-CoV2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). This variant is spreading quickly and has contributed to a rapid increase in the number of people with COVID-19.

Following discussions with school leaders, Councillors, Blackburn with Darwen’s Management Team and the Director of Public Health, Blackburn with Darwen Council has asked schools here to retain the use of face coverings, as per the current arrangements, until further notice.

As we now have more detailed analysis of case finding across the North West, we know that there have been instances where young people attending school or college have unintentionally contributed to the spread of the virus.

Our advisors believe it would be irresponsible to wait until we have higher levels of the newer variants of SARS-CoV2 circulating before we act.

We know that this will be understandably disappointing for our pupils. We want to thank them for all the efforts they have been making over this difficult period.

We hope that you understand the need for additional caution at this time.

Public Health experts will continue to keep the situation under review and will inform schools as soon as our local guidance changes.

The national position is also that face coverings MUST continue to be worn on school transport.

Please also find for your reference the latest information shared by the Council, including additional vaccination clinics available. https://theshuttle.org.uk/

Thank you for your continued support,

Kind regards,

Jayne Ivory, Strategic Director of Children and Education

Councillor Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education

Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen Director of Public Health