COVID-19 absence: A guide for parents/carers
| What to do if… | Action needed | Back to school… |
| …my child has COVID- 19 (coronavirus) symptoms* | •Child shouldn’t attend school •Child should get a test •Whole household self-isolates while waiting for test result •Inform school immediately about test results |
…when child’s test comes back negative and child is well enough |
| …my child tests positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus) | •Child shouldn’t attend school •Child self-isolates for at least 10 days from when symptoms* started (or from day of test if no symptoms) •Inform school immediately about test results •Whole household self-isolates for 14 days from day when symptoms* started (or from day of test if no symptoms) – even if someone tests negative during those 14 days |
…when child feels better, and has been without a fever for at least 48 hours They can return to school after 10 days even if they have a cough or loss of smell / taste. These symptoms can last for several weeks once the infection is gone. |
| …somebody in my household has COVID-19 (coronavirus) symptoms* | •Child shouldn’t attend school •Household member with symptoms should get a test •Whole household self-isolates while waiting for test result •Inform school immediately about test results |
…when household member test is negative, and child does not have COVID-19 symptoms* |
| …somebody in my household has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus) | •Child shouldn’t attend school •Whole household self-isolates for 14 days from day when symptoms* started (or from day of test if no symptoms) – even if someone tests negative during those 14 days |
…when child has completed 14 days of self-isolation, even if they test negative during the 14 days |
| …NHS Test and Trace has identified my child as a ‘close contact’ of somebody with symptoms* or confirmed COVID-19 (coronavirus) | •Child shouldn’t attend school •Child self-isolates for 14 days (as advised by NHS Test and Trace) – even if they test negative during those 14 days •Rest of household does not need to self-isolate, unless they are a ‘close contact’ too |
…when the child has completed 14 days of self-isolation, even if they test negative during those 14 days |
| …we / my child has travelled and has to self-isolate as part of a period of quarantine | •Do not take unauthorised leave in term time •Consider quarantine requirements and FCO advice when booking travel •Provide information to school as per attendance policy Returning from a destination where quarantine is needed: •Child shouldn’t attend school •Whole household self-isolates for 14 days – even if they test negative during those 14 days |
…when the quarantine period of 14 days has been completed for the child, even if they test negative during those 14 days |
| …we have received advice from a medical / official source that my child must resume shielding | •Child shouldn’t attend school •Contact school as advised by attendance officer / pastoral team •Child should shield until you are informed that restrictions are lifted and shielding is paused again |
…when school / other agencies inform you that restrictions have been lifted and your child can return to school again |
| ….I am not sure who should get a test for COVID -19 (coronavirus) | •Only people with symptoms* need to get a test •People without symptoms are not advised to get a test, even if they are a ‘close contact’ of someone who tests positive |
…when conditions above, as matching your situation, are met |
* Symptoms include at least one of a high temperature; a new continuous cough; a loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste. See more at: symptoms and self-isolation.