ÎÞÂëÌìÌÃ

By Rachel Lawler

The government has confirmed that children under five who live in the same household as someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 must take a PCR test, following confusion surrounding the latest advice released earlier this week.

Previously, the government published guidance on new self-isolation rules which stated that, as of 14 December 2021, children under five identified as having had close contact with a positive Covid case were "exempt from self-isolation and do not need to take part in daily testing of close contacts".

PCR tests for contacts
However, following discussions with the ÎÞÂëÌìÌÃ, the government has now confirmed that under-fives who live in the same household as someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 should still take a PCR test â€“ though there remains no requirement to self-isolate while awaiting test results.

Updated guidance soon
The updated UK Health Security Agency guidance can be accessed  and now states: "Regular LFD tests are not recommended for children aged under five. If they live with someone who has Covid-19 they are not legally required to self-isolate but you should limit their contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with Covid-19 and arrange for them to take a PCR test as soon as possible." 

We are expecting this change to be reflected in early years guidance shortly.

Lateral flow tests
Fully-vaccinated adults, children aged five to 18 years and six months, those medically exempt from vaccinations, and Covid-19 clinical trial participants, are still able to take a lateral flow test every day for seven days instead of isolating, if they have been identified as a close contact of a suspected or confirmed case of any variant of Covid-19 (including Omicron).

Additional guidance on close contacts and self-isolation for childminding settings is available via the DfE FAQs document available .

Welcome clarification
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the ÎÞÂëÌìÌÃ, commented: "We welcome clarification that under-fives are still advised to take a PCR test if someone in their household is Covid-positive, though many working in the early years will be understandably frustrated that this important advice was omitted from government guidance when it was updated earlier this week.  

"That said, given the rapid rate with which Omicron is said to spread, it is vital that the government ensures that Covid-19 guidance for young children is robust enough to actually help reduce the risk of transmission in early years settings. 

"As it stands, a child under five who has had contact with a positive Covid case outside their household can still attend their nursery, pre-school or childminding setting, as can a child who has had a positive case in their household and is awaiting their PCR test result. While we know that many settings will have their own policies in place based on their own risk assessments, it is still vital that those working on the frontline feel confident that government policy decisions are being based on sound scientific evidence, and that this evidence is made readily available to the sector, something that is yet to happen.

"Early years providers are working incredibly hard to ensure that they are able to remain open and that their settings are as safe as possible, but they too need to feel confident that their own safety, and that of their loved ones and colleagues, is a priority. It's vital that government now demonstrates that this is the case."