The six things schools have been told to do to prevent coronavirus spreading

Schools have been told exactly what protective measures they need to take to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

In new government guidance issued today, the Department for Education says it's a legal requirement for schools to update their risk assessments before all year groups return in September.

But they must also have control measures in place 'to reduce the risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level'.

The 'prevention' measures they are being asked to take include:

1. Minimise contact with individuals who are unwell by ensuring that those who have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does, do not attend school

2. Clean hands thoroughly more often than usual

3. Ensure good respiratory hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach

4. Introduce enhanced cleaning, including cleaning frequently touched surfaces often, using standard products such as detergents and bleach

5. Minimise contact between individuals and maintain social distancing wherever possible

6. Where necessary, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

Children will be asked to wash their hands regularly (Manchester Evening News)

The guidance states that numbers 1 to 4 must be in place in all schools, 'all the time'.

Number 5 must be properly considered and schools must put in place measures that suit their particular circumstances. While number 6 applies in specific circumstances.

The majority of staff in education settings will not require PPE 'beyond what they would normally need for their work'. It is only needed in a very small number of cases, including where an individual child or young person becomes ill with coronavirus at school - and a distance of two metres cannot be maintained - or where a child already has routine intimate care needs that involves the use of PPE.

The DfE guidance states: "Having assessed their risk, schools must work through the system of controls, adopting measures in a way that addresses the risk identified in their assessment, works for their school, and allows them to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum for their pupils, including full educational and care support for those pupils who have SEND.

"If schools follow the guidance set out here they will effectively reduce risks in their school and create an inherently safer environment."