We round-up the latest news affecting schools.
Roll out of coronavirus vaccine due to start in December
The UK is the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (that’s the one that has to be stored at -70°C or lower). The government has said it will start to vaccinate 400,000 people this week. The first phase of the rollout will prioritise adult care home residents and their carers, followed by people aged 80 and over, and frontline health and social care workers. Clinically extremely vulnerable people will also be covered, as will most people with underlying health conditions.
Once these groups have been vaccinated, people aged 50 and over will be next. Pregnant woman won’t receive the vaccine, nor will most children under the age of 16. Read the full list.
Advice published by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation indicates that teachers could be on the priority list for the second phase of the vaccination programme next year.
National Education Union calls on government to publish data on teacher COVID-19 deaths
The National Education Union has written to the government to argue that it’s not safe for clinically extremely vulnerable members of staff to return to work now the shielding programme has paused.
It’s also asked the government to publish the numbers of teachers and support staff who have tested positive, have been hospitalised or have died from coronavirus for each week since September.
Number of school-related COVID-19 cases fell during lockdown
According to data published by the DfE the number of schools reporting one or more pupils self-isolating has fallen for the first time since the start of November.
Consensus statement published about reducing coronavirus risks for BAME workers
Public Health England, Health and Safety Executive and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine have issued a consensus statement outlining the best way for employers to reduce occupational risk for those workers at higher risk. It builds on the review of disparities of risk and outcomes of coronavirus (COVID-19) which showed that there’s an association between belonging to some ethnic groups and the likelihood of testing positive and dying of coronavirus.
The statement examines how employers can mitigate occupational risk for BAME groups.
UK governments agree rules on Christmas celebrations
The England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland administrations have published their agreed UK-wide approach to Christmas celebrations. This allows Christmas ‘bubbles’ of up to three households to form over a five-day period.
International travel ‘test to release’ scheme will start before the end of term
From Tuesday 15 December, passengers arriving in England from a country not featured on the travel corridor list may be able to reduce the number of days they have to self-isolate. Under the new ‘test to release for international travel’ scheme, individuals can take a coronavirus test after five days of self-isolation. If the test is negative, they don’t have to continue to self-isolate.
But passengers who want to take advantage of this will have to book their test with a private provider (specified on a government list) before they travel, pay for that test, complete a passenger locator form, and self-isolate for five days before taking the test.
Schools should make sure that staff who plan to travel abroad over the Christmas holidays know about the scheme.
ICO updates guidance on workplace coronavirus testing
On Tuesday 24 November, the Information Commissioner updated its guidance on COVID-19 testing. If your school conducts workplace testing, you’ll need to follow the guidance.
National Minimum Wage rate increases announced
From April 2021, the rate of the National Living Wage will increase to £8.91 per hour and will be payable to workers aged 23 and above (currently, only workers aged 25 and above qualify). The National Minimum Wage rates will also increase as follows:
- Those aged 21 to 22 will receive £8.36 per hour – an increase of £0.16
- Those aged 18 to 20 will receive £6.56 per hour – an increase of £0.11
- Those aged 16 to 17 will receive £4.62 – an increase of £0.07
- Apprentices under the age of 19 or in their first year will receive £4.30 – an increase of £0.15.
Read more – December 2020
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