11/01/2021
Parents are being asked to keep their children at home whenever possible and only use hub schools when strictly necessary.
The Isle of Man Government is also strongly advising secondary age students and school staff who can wear face coverings to do so.
The small number of students sitting assessments or exams this week are also advised to wear face coverings and follow social distancing rules.
Strict hygiene measures will be in place when they sit their technical and vocational assessments and BTEC exams.
A small supply of disposable masks is available to those who require them but where possible students and teachers are asked to bring their own.
Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minster for Education, Sport and Culture, said:
‘To help us eliminate the virus we are asking parents to keep their children at home whenever possible.
‘If any student is experiencing symptoms such as a temperature, a new and persistent cough, or the loss of their sense of smell they should not enter their school and call COVID-111 for advice.’
All schools in the Isle of Man closed on Thursday 7 January, except for a 14 educational hubs maintained for vulnerable children and those of essential workers.
On Thursday and Friday 147 secondary students (3%) and 553 of primary school age (9%) attended hubs where children were grouped together in same school bubbles.
School closures are among a raft of measures introduced by the Isle of Man Government to eliminate COVID-19 from the Island, protect life and safeguard the vaccination programme.