Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether teachers will remain responsible for covid-19 track and trace for their students over the Christmas 2020 holiday period.

Schools should ask parents and staff to inform them immediately of the results of a positive COVID-19 test. Schools must take swift action when they become aware that someone who has attended has tested positive for COVID-19. They can contact the dedicated advice service who will inform them of what action is needed based on the latest public health advice.

Based on their advice, schools must send home those people who have been in close contact with the person who has tested positive, advising them to self-isolate for 14 days since they were last in close contact with that person when they were infectious.

In cases where the onset of symptoms has been more than 48 hours since the confirmed case was last in school, parents and guardians of pupils should follow the NHS Test and Trace guidance and this will not usually involve school leaders.

Where necessary any updates to how contact tracing should be managed will be communicated to education settings ahead of the Christmas holiday period. We recognise that teachers deserve the opportunity to rest and recharge over the Christmas break.