06 September 2021
Thousands of children, young people and education staff are preparing to return to the classroom tomorrow (Tuesday, 7 September) to start a new academic year.
The Government of Jersey has launched a back-to-school campaign to raise awareness of the COVID safety steps that will be taken in schools, colleges and nurseries, which will continued to be monitored.
Jersey's Children and Education Minister, Children's Commissioner, Deputy Medical Officer of Health and Group Director of Education are among those who have shared messages of reassurance and advice for students and staff.
All schools will receive new child-friendly COVID-safe posters, as well as short step-by-step videos and leaflets, in different languages, on how the Lateral Flow Testing process works.
As of Monday, lunchtime, (6 September), 5,113 had registered for the Lateral Flow Tests including 3,946 secondary students.
All secondary school students and educational staff working with children and young peopl, are being offered free COVID-19 Lateral Flow Tests for home use.
The self-testing kits contain 25 Lateral Flow Tests for students to use twice a week at home, for the next 12 weeks, and are voluntary.
Many schools, and Parish Halls, have offered students the opportunity to collect their Lateral Flow Tests today (MON) ahead of returning to school tomorrow. More details can be found on the Government of Jersey website.
Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Scott Wickenden said: "I'm extremely proud of all of our schools, nurseries and colleges, across the Island, who have all done extremely well in keeping the majority of children and young people in continuous face-to-face learning throughout the pandemic.
"These measures we have in place will provide additional protection to our children and young people and all the school, college and nursery staff who have worked so hard to give children the best experience possible throughout this pandemic.
"Unfortunately, COVID has not gone away, so I would urge everyone to continue to keep their guard up and continue to follow the COVID safety advice in all of our schools, nurseries and colleges."
Jersey's Children's Commissioner, Deborah McMillan, who has also offered reassurance to students, in a video, for Government of Jersey said: "A lot of people have been working behind the scenes to make sure schools are a healthy and safe place.
"I know there are some who are worried about taking Lateral Flow Tests. These are voluntary and are not a condition of going back to school. However, I would like to encourage students to take the Lateral Flow Tests. It is a way of respecting others by keeping themselves and their school healthy."
Secondary students and all staff, who work in an education setting, can register for their Lateral Flow Test at www.gov.je/covidsafe
More information is available here: www.gov.je/covidschoolguidance
Videos:
Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat - Back to School - YouTube
Group Director, Seán O Regan, sends a warm welcome to students and staff returning Back to School - YouTube
Deborah McMillan - YouTube
Secondary School Lateral Flow Test - YouTube
Lateral Flow Tests for secondary school students and all education staff - YouTube
Children's hand washing guide - YouTube
Helpline FAQs (06/08/21) - "I have symptoms, I'm feeling unwell. What should I do?" - YouTube
gov.je