Families are being urged to support schools and protect each other when pupils return to face-to-face learning on 8 March.
Following the guidelines – including regular testing and wearing face-coverings in classrooms – will help ensure North Lincolnshire stays on track to emerge successfully from lockdown.
Steve Pintus, joint director of public health, North and North East Lincolnshire, said teachers were working hard to make schools a safe and secure place.
“Schools across North Lincolnshire are doing a fantastic job in ensuring they are safe places for welcoming back all children and young people as they begin their return to the classroom,” he said.
“Schools will be communicating with parents to detail the arrangements for their children.”
Mr Pintus’s comments come as the seven-day rate of infection per 100,000 people across North Lincolnshire is at 95.4 up to 27 February, and he urged people not to become complacent now the lockdown is easing.
“The vaccine roll-out has been hugely successful across England and in North Lincolnshire the take up of vaccines has been recognised as being among the best in the country.
“However, all of us must remain vigilant to the spread of Covid-19.
“Social distancing, excellent hand hygiene and wearing face covering where appropriate still need to be adhered to. These measures, along with self-isolating and getting tested if you demonstrate symptoms, remain critically important.”
Families need to support children by making sure they are wearing face coverings and washing hands regularly.
It is also important to remember that social distancing rules still apply, especially at school drop-off and pick-up times, he added.
“The preventative measures schools are taking does mean that pupils will be asked to behave slightly differently for some time yet. In secondary schools, children will be encouraged to have regular Covid-19 tests and will be expected to wear face coverings where social distancing is not possible.
“Families can support the efforts of schools to minimise the risk from Covid-19 in their communities by maintaining social distancing at the school gate and for secondary age children and college students making sure that they have their face-coverings with them each day together with making use of the lateral flow tests on offer.
“Most importantly, if you or your children have symptoms of Covid-19, then you must self-isolate and get tested.”
Secondary school pupils will be tested in school three times and then receive home-testing kits once they return. Families are also entitled to free home testing kits twice a week. More information is available on the Government website.
