Chesterfield teacher self-isolates over coronavirus fears following half term trip to Italy

A female teacher at Inkersall Primary Academy spent the half term in a part of Italy that was not affected by coronavirus while she was there.

She travelled back to the UK at the end of the school holiday on February 21 and then returned to work, as Public Health England said she did not need to self-isolate as she did not visit an affected area.

Government advice has since changed, and now that anybody who has been to any part of Italy is advised to self-isolate, the teacher has now voluntarily done so.

The teacher will remain in quarantine for a period of two weeks. The risk to children at the school “remains very low”.

Kate Godfrey, head of governors for the Spencer Academy Trust which is responsible for the school, said: “We take this incredibly seriously and we are taking daily advice from Public Health England.

“The guidance on self-isolation has changed for this teacher. When she first came back the advice was that she should be in school. Now it is that she should self-isolate.”

Ms Godfrey added that the teacher had not shown any symptoms since she returned to the UK, and that “this is simply a response to the changing advice.”

In a letter sent to parents seen by the Derbyshire Times, Sarah Allison, principal of Inkersall Primary Academy, said: “Government advice is constantly changing, and all people who have returned from half-term travel to any part of Italy or other areas are now being advised to stay at home, or ‘self-isolate’.

“One of our members of staff has now been asked to stay at home for the next two weeks accordingly. This is not a confirmed case.

“This does not change the general advice we have been given, which is that the risk of coronavirus for children in school remains very low.”

Parents have been advised to contact NHS 111 if they, or their children, exhibit any symptoms of flu or cold.

The letter also says parents can contact the school with concerns.