First and foremost, LLC would like to say thank you to all our staff and learners for their support in keeping all members of our community safe and minimising the number of Covid-19 cases for the organisation.
With the end of legal restrictions in England, LLC is making changes to our Covid-19 risk assessment and protocols to follow government guidance on self-isolation, use of face coverings and ventilation. As always, we are focused on being cautious and keeping all members of our learning community safe and therefore propose the following new procedures.
Testing and Self-Isolation
Should I still test twice a week if I don’t have symptoms?
No, please stop routine asymptomatic testing, as the government is no longer supplying lateral flow tests (LFT) to Training Providers.
I have symptoms which could be Covid-19. What should I do?
If you have a high temperature, persistent cough, or loss or change to sense of taste or smell you should book a PCR test. You should stay home until you receive the result. If you have other symptoms which could be Covid-19 (e.g. headache, cold, cough, flu-like symptoms), however mild, we ask that you either stay at home and take a LFT, receiving a negative result before coming to the office or to the classroom. We will continue to provide the option of online learning for those affected by Covid going forward.
What if I test positive for Covid-19?
If you test positive by PCR or LFT we expect you to follow government advice and self-isolate for up to 10 days. An earlier return to the classroom or office on days 6-10 should only occur if you receive negative LFT results on two consecutive days. Please be aware that contact tracing has ended, so please inform any contacts who are known to have been in close contact with you in the 72hrs preceding symptoms.
A member of my family/household has tested positive. What should I do?
You should follow the guidance from the government on reducing transmission:
- minimise contact with the infected person;
- avoid contact with vulnerable individuals;
- limit close contact with others, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces;
- wear a well-fitting face covering;
- get tested if you develop any symptoms of Covid.
The government states that individuals can still attend the office or classroom if there is a case of Covid-19 in the household. If you wish to continue to attend the classroom or the office, we ask that you complete LFTs every two days and only attend with a negative result which must be logged on the NHS App.
Someone I know tested positive and I spent time with them in the preceding 72 hours. What should I do?
- you should follow the guidance from the government on reducing transmission;
- avoid contact with vulnerable individuals;
- limit close contact with others, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces;
- wear a well-fitting face covering;
- get tested if you develop any symptoms of Covid.
How do I get a supply of LFTs?
LLC will no longer receive a supply of LFTs from the government to give out to learners. Learners will need to order boxes of tests from the government website here or collect them from a local pharmacy.
LLC will continue to provide LFT tests for staff to self-test in the event that they develop symptoms in order to keep the office safe. LFT Tests can be requested from Lisa Taylor and all staff should ensure they have tests readily available at home.
What Covid-19 control measures will be in place at LLC and its classroom venues?
From Monday 28 February 2022 we will continue to:
- Enable learners and staff to wear face coverings on LLC premises where they would prefer to. Disposable face coverings will continue to be available in the office and classroom.
- Keep all rooms well-ventilated by keeping some windows open throughout the day and wedging doors open when rooms are occupied. Learners/staff should wear suitable clothing if they are cold.
- Encourage the use of hand sanitiser. Learners and staff should continue to utilise hand sanitiser regularly, which will continue to be available in the office.
- Encourage staff to continue to clean their own workstations frequently using virucidal products, with a particular focus on surfaces which lots of people touch throughout the day. Cleaning products will continue to be available in the office
- Encourage staff and learners to avoid unnecessary close contact.
Life at LLC will move towards pre-pandemic norms as we:
- Return to meeting in larger groups, for example by having a blend of online and in-person meetings and classroom courses
- Remove the requirement to follow one-way systems.
- Remove the requirement to wear masks in all communal spaces.
For many of us, this will be welcome news, but we understand some learners and staff will be anxious, especially when individuals have health conditions which make them more vulnerable. We will continue to support vulnerable and anxious members of the LLC community by allowing individuals to wear masks at any time and providing alternative provision to large in-person gatherings. We ask that learners and staff be understanding of others, by wearing masks if asked to do so whilst working in close contact with others.
If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your tutor (for learners) or line manager (for staff) for further support.
Thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to welcoming you to more exciting in-person events in the future.
