Coronavirus: Edinburgh council sends parents letters about keeping kids off school if returning from certain countries

Edinburgh City Council's education chief sent the letter out to all parents in Edinburgh on Tuesday, March 10th.

The letter, from Edinburgh City Council’s chief education officer, Andy Gray, provides links to the Public Health England guidance which provides a breakdown of countries classed as Category 1 and Category 2.

It comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the NHS Lothian board area jumped from five to seven on Tuesday afternoon, with the total number in Scotland rising from 23 to 27 cases.

The letter, dated March 10th, says if a child has returned to the UK from an area of the world identified as Category 1 they should ‘self-isolate’ at home for two weeks, whether they have any symptoms or not.

It adds: “If they develop symptoms (a cough, a high temperature or shortness of breath) you should contact your GP by phone or NHS 24 for advice and remain at home until they are well.”

Category 1 countries/area

Wuhan City and Hubei Province, China (see MAP)

Iran

Daegu or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea, see MAP)

Italy – Travellers who returned from areas of Northern Italy that were under containment measures (SEE MAP) between February 19th and March 8th should self-isolate for 14 days. If they develop symptoms they should contact NHS 111. Travellers who returned from the rest of Italy before March 9th do not need to undertake any special measures, but if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate and call NHS 111.

The letter then goes on to highlight all Category 2 countries and says that, if the child is well, they can attend school as normal.

It states that, if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate at home and parents should contact their GP by phone or NHS 24 for advice.

The letter also says that, should your child have an underlying health issue and you are concerned, you should contact your GP by phone or NHS 24.

Category 2 countries/areas

Cambodia

China ( except areas of the country specifically referred to in Category 1)

Hong Kong

Japan

Laos

Macau

Malaysia

Myanmar

Republic of Korea ( except areas of the country specifically referred to in Category 1)

Singapore

Taiwan

Thailand

Vietnam

A link to the coronavirus advice on the NHS Inform website is also provided in the letter, which also stresses the need to take precautions to limit the spread of the virus, including regular handwashing.

The letter adds: “We are keeping the situation under constant review and will update parents and carers should advice change.

“We appreciate this is an uncertain time for everyone but please be reassured that the council is doing all it can to minimise any impact.”