Information for schools about Swine Flu from Ed Balls

Published: 17 September, 2009

We have been closely monitoring the spread and severity of swine flu over the school holidays. The latest scientific advice to the Government is that individual school closures are now of limited benefit in stopping the spread of disease.

Given the mildness of the virus, the expert medical advice is that there is no good reason for schools to remain closed after the summer holiday. We therefore expect all schools and early-years and childcare settings in England to reopen as planned at the beginning of the new term.

However, it is still essential that adults or children with flu-like symptoms should stay away until they are free of those symptoms. They should contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1513 100 or at Directgov's dedicated flu website.

Information for schools

We have published revised questions and answers guidance and emailed local authorities too, alerting them to this guidance.

Resources to help promote good hand hygiene

We want to encourage everyone to continue to follow the basic hygiene practices that can help to prevent flu from spreading, and schools have an important role to play in promoting these with children.

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