Coronavirus: Council’s plea to parents ahead of pupils’ return

Parents and carers in Shropshire are being urged to observe social distancing and wear face coverings when dropping off and collecting their children from school. 

The plea comes after the Government set out its plan for the return of all pupils to schools and colleges as part of the roadmap towards leaving the third Lockdown. 

All pupils will begin to return to face-to-face education next Monday (8 March 2021): details of the measures can be found here. 

Last year, staff at some schools had raised concerns that not all parents were observing social distancing, and some were ignoring the measures designed to keep them and others safe. 

Parents and carers are being strongly reminded and encouraged to avoid gathering in close groups to catch up or chat outside schools, and are advised to follow their school’s instructions on safely dropping off and picking up, and leave immediately once this is done.    

Some schools will be arranging staggered dropping off and picking up timings at the beginning and end of the school day to help with this. Once inside the school gates, the schools will have extensive systems of control in place to ensure the learning environment is safe and secure.  

Children should not come to school if they have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19: a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change of smell. 

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said:

“Social distancing and wearing a face covering are two of our key weapons in stopping the spread of coronavirus. 

“Unless they’re exempt from wearing one, I encourage all parents to wear a face covering when picking up or dropping off their child. 

”It’s important to remember that we will still be in the third national Lockdown when pupils return on Monday 8 March. We all need to play our part and follow all of the measures designed to keep ourselves and others safe. “

Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:  

“The safety of schoolpupils and staff is our main priority. We are working with schools, and planning for a proposed return to school for all pupils from Monday.

“Our education teams are working very closely with headteachers, and I’d like to thank staff and parents for their continued support during a hugely difficult time. 

“We need to remember coronavirus hasn’t gone away and we still have a high number of cases here in Shropshire.

“Please respect the measures if dropping off and picking up your child at the school gates. This will help us to not only protect you and your children, but also all school staff.

“It may cause inconvenience and potentially add a little time to the start and end of each school day, but it will help set a good example to our pupils.

“The last thing any of us want is another disruption of our pupils’ education, especially if it is avoidable.”

  Step Up and help us stop the spread of coronavirus:

• Stay At Home
• Work from home, if you can
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms
• Wear a face covering in indoor settings (food shops, workplaces) where social distancing may be more difficult, and where you may come close to people who are not part of your household or bubble.
• Anyone who has any symptoms should book a test and not leave home for at least 10 days. Those living in households should self-isolate for 10 days if they or any members of the household receive a positive test.

For local advice and support during the pandemic (especially if you are self-isolating), call Shropshire Council’s COVID-19 Helpline on 0345 678 9028 or visit our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.