The do’s and don’ts of keeping your child safe

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME AND PHONE YOUR GP:

Do not send your child to school or childcare if any of the following is true. Your child has:

A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more ÷Any other common symptoms of coronavirus such as a cough, loss or changed sense of taste or smell, or shortness of breath ÷Been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus ÷Been living with someone who is unwell and may have coronavirus.

WHAT TO DO:

Isolate your child. This means keeping them at home and completely avoiding contact with other people, as much as possible. Your child should only leave your home to have a test or see your GP.

Phone your GP. They will advise you if your child needs a coronavirus test.

Everyone that your child lives with should also restrict their movements, at least until your child gets a diagnosis from their GP or a coronavirus test result. This means not going to school, childcare or work. Treat your child at home for their symptoms.

WHEN IT’S OKAY TO SEND KIDS TO SCHOOL OR CHILDCARE:

They only have nasal symptoms, such as a runny nose or a sneeze

They do not have a temperature of 38C or more (as long as their temperature has not been lowered by taking any form of paracetamol or ibuprofen)

They do not have a cough and have not been in close contact with anyone who has coronavirus

They do not live with anyone who is unwell and may have coronavirus

They have been told by a GP that their illness is not caused by coronavirus. Your GP will tell you when they can return to school or childcare have got a negative (‘not detected’) coronavirus test result and have not had symptoms for 48 hours.