COVID-19 Guidance

Updated: 01/04/2022

The government state that the population now has much stronger protection against COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic. This means we can begin to manage the virus like other respiratory infections, thanks to the success of the vaccination programme and access to antivirals, alongside natural immunity and increased scientific and public understanding about how to manage risk.

As part of their plan for removing the remaining legal restrictions whilst protecting people most vulnerable to COVID-19, the government have released two important documents. These are:

• Living with COVID-19” – released on 21/02/2022
• Next steps for living with COVID-19 – released on 29/03/2022

Key points:

• regular asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended in any education or childcare setting.  The universal testing offer ends on 1^st April 2022. South Devon College will no longer issue LFD test kits to students or staff.  
• staff with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature
• students who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can return to college when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend

It is important that everyone continues to do all they can to reduce the risk of catching and passing on COVID-19.  The government advise that we: 

• Get vaccinated
• Let fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meet outside
• Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet, when rates of transmission are high
• Try to stay at home if you are unwell
• Wash your hands and follow advice to ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’.

I would like to thank all staff and students for regularly carrying out Covid tests at home and reporting their results over the last year. 31,000 test results have been submitted by staff and students between 01/03/2021 and 25/02/2022. Of these, 850 positive covid results have been recorded.

Please continue to do everything you can to reduce the risk of infection, being aware that some may be medically vulnerable themselves or have family members who are at risk.

With best wishes

Laurence Frewin

Principal & CEO

South Devon College

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