Calls for clarification on changes to Covid rules for under-fives amid rising cases and Omicron uncertainty

Nurseries are concerned about the lack of safeguards when there is so little known about the new Omicron variant and what it means in terms of infection in settings and the impact on children.

The Early Years Alliance said it ‘beggars belief’ that the government had changed the rules without ‘putting in place any alternative mitigation measures’, particularly given the speed and spread of the Omicron variant and the sharp rise in cases in early years settings.

Figures released on Monday by Ofsted show that reports of Covid cases in early years settings were at an all-time high, with 2,707 reports of cases in the week commencing 22 November 2021, up 38 per cent from 1,960 the previous week. 

Previously, government guidance stated that children aged under five were ‘advised to take a PCR test’ if someone in their household tested positive for a non-Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Under-fives were also included in rules that required all close contacts, regardless of age or vaccination status, to isolate if they were confirmed as a close contact of a suspected or positive Omicron case. 

However, new self-isolation rules, which have come into force today (Tuesday), enabling people to take daily lateral flow tests for seven days instead of self-isolating only apply to fully-vaccinated adults, or children aged between five and 18.

On under-fives, government guidance now states, ‘Children under 5 years are exempt from self-isolation and do not need to take part in daily testing of close contacts.’

There is no mention of any advice or requirement for under-fives who are confirmed close contacts of positive Covid cases to take any other kind of measures, such as a PCR test, instead of isolating. 

Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said, ‘Early years settings are one of the very few places where social distancing is simply impossible, and those working in the sector are constantly in close physical contact with the young children in their care.  

‘It beggars belief, therefore, that there could ever be any suggestion of simply removing the requirement for children aged under five who have been confirmed as close contacts of positive Covid cases to self-isolate without putting in place any alternative mitigation measures – especially given the speed at which we are told the Omicron variant is liable to spread, and the recent sharp increase in Covid reports in early years settings.

‘Those working in the sector already feel that their safety, and that of their loved ones, is not valued by the government. Clearly there need to be safeguards put in place to ensure that young children aren't unknowingly carrying and spreading Covid-19 through their early years settings.

‘We hope that this is a case of poorly written guidance, rather than utterly reckless policy-making, and urge the government to provide clarity to the early years sector on this as a matter of priority.’

However, after asking the Department for Education for clarification last night, Nursery World has subsequently received confirmation from the DfE today (Wednesday) that under-fives remain exempt, with no self-isolation for under-fives and no recommendation for daily testing if they’re a close contact of a positive Covid case.

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said, 'This is a really uncertain time for parents and providers with cases rising in the community and that being seen in early years settings as well. There are a lot of unknowns about the Omicron variant which naturally add to people’s concerns.

'Any guidance needs to be based on clear medical evidence so that people can be assured of the safety of measures being set out. This should take into account case rates in settings and any changes in the level of risk posed by the new variant.'