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Covid

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Original poster

How long do I need to stay off work for

16 replies

Mooloolabababy · 27/03/2022 12:49

So I tested positive on Thursday, I'm a TA in a school in the midlands, can I go back to work after day 5 or do I have to have 2 negatives from day 5 to go back?
I know that legally I can leave the house and carry on doing what I want to, but I won't.
There's some confusion at school as to when I can go back, the business manager says just have 5 days home and the come back (if I don't feel too ill) but then other staff members say only come back after 2 negatives after day 5. Not sure what do to, is it down to the schools individual policies or down to the dfe?

OP posts:

BluebellsGreenbells · 27/03/2022 12:55

It’s recommendations only. Have you contacted HR about their policy?

Stanleystuck · 27/03/2022 13:00

I don't work at a school but am having same dilemma. I tested positive last Monday and have had the week off work feeling quite poorly. I now feel probably about 70% ok but got faint positives today and yesterday. I don't know of I should go or not. Going to ring my manager later

Frosty1000 · 27/03/2022 13:07

I thought all/most schools were following DfE guidance which is 10 days or after 2 negatives day 5&6. That's what ours is doing, but from 1 April it could well change!

I'd look at what your school policy is then go from there. Hope you feel better soon!

Lilaclavenders · 27/03/2022 15:59

I'm sure most parents would be happy if you returned once you feel better! Good luck

guessagain · 27/03/2022 16:13

I work in a school also & have tested positive, 1st day Thursday. Was told to test on days 5 & 6 they have to be 2 negative tests to be able to come back so i’ll test Mon (Tomorrow) & again Tues, if they are both neg I can go back Wed. I feel fine now, but they won’t let me back yet.

Tigerblue · 27/03/2022 17:57

I'd phone in tomorrow and check what the policy is?

Here us and children need to positive LFTs if we're to go back before the 10 day mark. However, if staff need to be off days 8-10, we're meant to be a GP letter!

Tigerblue · 27/03/2022 17:59

Forgot to change my post before posting. It's up to school to decide what their guidelines are. I understand there's something in the DoE small print that says the school can refuse anyone with covid who could be a risk to others - up to school to assess risk!

WelshyMaud · 27/03/2022 18:04

2 dc here who tested positive on Thursday.

We've been called twice by Track & Trace (one for each of them) who advised on both calls that they need to do an LFT on Monday and Tuesday and, if negative, can return to school Wednesday.

According to the guidance on Gov.uk, Monday and Tuesday will be days 4 and 5 as day 1 is the day AFTER you test positive.

The T&T were adamant though. The whole system is useless and broken. Even the 'experts' don't understand the guidance they're giving out.

Original poster

Mooloolabababy · 27/03/2022 18:54

Thanks everyone, no one seems to know the rules anymore as they're too vague. What's even more frustrating is that parents are obviously still sending children in when they clearly have symptoms and as a school we have no right to tell parents to keep the children off. We've had 4 staff members test positive over this weekend and we aren't a particularly big school, we're struggling to get relief staff. How are we supposed to function as a school with so many staff off with covid and parents not keeping their sick children off?

OP posts:

BluebellsGreenbells · 27/03/2022 19:01

It states they should stay home with symptoms. You have every right to send them home and get tested.

Original poster

Mooloolabababy · 27/03/2022 19:54

@BluebellsGreenbells we do send them home to be tested and the parents say they have tested them and that they're negative and then bring them back in the next day still looking ill. I'm doubtful that all parents have been testing.

OP posts:

LyndaLaHughes · 27/03/2022 22:15

The day you test positive or symptoms start is Day 0. So if that was Thursday, the earliest you can go back is Wednesday if you have a negative test on day 5- Tuesday and Day 6- Wednesday. But those tests need to be 24 hours apart so you'd need to do it early morning each day.

BluebellsGreenbells · 27/03/2022 22:31

I doubt parents are testing as well.

Lilaclavenders · 27/03/2022 23:16

What's even more frustrating is that parents are obviously still sending children in when they clearly have symptoms

How ill are they though? Really ill or just some cold symptoms?

dizzydizzydizzy · 28/03/2022 07:53

DD asked her school recently. The answer was that they legally couldn't stop her returning to school while testing positive but they would prefer if she waited till she tested negative two days in a row.

COVID can be a nasty illness OP. I've just had nearly 6 weeks off for it. I have now returned to work but I am totally unable to work at full capacity due to crippling post covid fatigue.

Original poster

Mooloolabababy · 28/03/2022 14:26

@Lilaclavenders

What's even more frustrating is that parents are obviously still sending children in when they clearly have symptoms

How ill are they though? Really ill or just some cold symptoms?

Ill enough to impede their learning. We had a child fall asleep on the carpet as she was soo ill (streaming nose and you could see in her eyes that she really wasn't well) and another child who's parents sent them on the school trip who should clearly have spent the day in bed. You know when your child is too ill to be sent to school and when your child just has a sniffle and will be fine for the day.

OP posts:

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