Coronavirus (Covid-19) information

Learner COVID Update

As you may all be aware, the Prime Minister announced on Monday 21st February that all coronavirus restrictions in England would end on the 24th of February. The Government's Living with COVID-19 document sets out the strategy on continuing to live in the midst of the virus. Some of the previous statutory requirements such as requirements to self-isolate and submit COVID passports are being removed.

However, the removal of legislation covering some requirements within the Coronavirus Act does not relax the requirements of businesses such as PTS to manage the risk to health of its non-employees, in many ways, the onus is now on us to manage the COVID risk within our remit. There is legislation that places duties on PTS, namely the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSaWA) and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) Regulations 2002. The COSHH regulations particularly apply as Covid is deemed as a biological agent and therefore requires PTS to reduce the risks to health by preventing or adequately controlling exposure to the virus. Under the HaSAWA all PTS employees are required to “take reasonable care of themselves and others, including learners, who may be affected by their acts and/or omissions.

With these legal requirements in mind, and the guidance from bodies such as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the following policy has been agreed by PTS Senior Management and will apply to all learners with regards to Covid.

If You Are Experiencing COVID Symptoms

• If you experience any of the below symptoms, you are to take a lateral flow test before attending a PTS facility. If you experience symptoms whilst at our facility, emergency kits will be available.

  The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:

  1. A high temperature.
  2. A new, continuous cough.
  3. A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
• If you test positive you are not to attend any PTS facility, you are to inform your Programme Manager as soon as possible.
• You are not to attend any PTS facility for a minimum of 6 days, if you can provide two negative tests (24hrs apart) after day 5, for example negative on day 6 and then on the morning of day 7. This applies to unvaccinated persons also.
• If you are still testing positive at day 10 you can return to learning on day 11 as long as you do not have a temperature.
• You should also advise those persons you have been in close contact with in the previous 48 hours of your positive test.

If you feel unwell but do not have COVID-19 symptoms, or your COVID-19 test is negative, you may still have an illness which could be passed on to other people. Staying at home until you feel better reduces the risk that you will pass on an illness to your friends, colleagues, and others in your community.

We must all continue to practice good hygiene practices, both personal and with regards to offices and classroom cleaning. Cleaning regimes at PTS shall be maintained, along with requirements to wipe down equipment post use, including classrooms.

PTS shall monitor the implementation of this policy and shall review it as and when the COVID situation changes.