Contact: Ian Shanks

Direct Tel: 03000 265908

email:

Ian.shanks@durham.gov.uk

01 March 2021

Dear Parents/Carers

Re: Gatherings at School Gates

As children and young people are returning to schools over the next few weeks, I would like to take the opportunity to remind parents, grandparents and carers to be mindful of the importance of social distance when dropping off and collecting their children from the school gates.

We know that many children are returning back to school, and parents and children may be excited to see each other and gathering at the school gates. However, I would like to remind everyone on the school run that Covid19 is still circulating in the community and we all need to continue to work together to reduce the transmission of the virus.

I would urge parents to be mindful of the coronavirus guidance and work with us and the school to keep everyone safe by keeping more than 2 metres apart wherever possible from people outside your household, to prevent the spread of Covid19.

School leaders are working hard to make sure that children are safe in school and that the risk of the virus spreading is minimised. We all have a responsibility to keep our communities safe and we need the support of parents, grandparents and carers when they are at the school gates.

The most recent guidance is set out in the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

Please keep your distance, please do not gather in groups and remember:

HANDS Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds.

FACE Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

SPACE Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors)