Are you aware of the new guidance for Covid outbreaks in school?

The guidance sets out two main thresholds where educational settings may have to take "extra action" to tackle an apparent Covid outbreak.

They are if:

• five children, pupils, students or staff, who are likely to have mixed closely, test positive for Covid-19 within a 10-day period; or

• 10 per cent of children, pupils, students or staff who are likely to have mixed closely test positive for Covid-19 within a 10-day period.

What is extra action?

The guidance suggests a few ideas, including improving ventilation – so long as it would not “significantly impact thermal comfort”; extra testing,; enhanced cleaning of “touch points”, such as door handles; and, perhaps most notably, holding activities such as assemblies or classes outdoors.