COVID-19 public health advice effective from this coming Monday, 28 February 2022. Neither physical distancing measures (such as play-pods) nor mask-wearing will be required in ELC or SAC services from 28 February, but hygiene measures remain important, and both staff and children should stay at home if symptomatic.

Updated guidance for ELC and SAC including childminding settings, effective from 28 February, can be accessed by clicking the button below.

Please note that the previous Infection Prevention and Control guidance for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic (which was most recently updated on 14 January 2022) will be stood down by the HPSC, and will no longer apply from 28 February.

The pre-COVID ‘Management of Infectious Diseases in Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare Settings’ (2012) remains in place for general Infection Prevention and Control measures – details can be found here.

Today the HPSC published updated National Interim Guidance for Public Health Management of COVID-19 cases and close contacts which Early Learning and Childcare settings should refer to for the management of COVID-19 – details can be found here.

We hope this information is of assistance to you. If you should have any further queries, please contact your local City or County Childcare Committee – details can be found here.