The school’s staff include a number of learning assistants, working alongside teachers.
A spokesperson for the Education Office confirmed that as a number of staff are self isolating following the latest advice issued by the States’ Public Health Servicesyesterday, the decision has been taken to close Les Voies.
Pictured: Guernsey’s Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink, has advised against all but essential off-island travel. Other advice includes guidance for anyone with any cold or flu like symptoms to stay at home.
The spokesperson said “Les Voies is closed today. This is due to 12 staff self-isolating in line with the latest advice released yesterday.”
Parents have been informed and pupils are expected to be studying from home.
“The school has contacted parents and made sure students have work to do at home,” said the spokesperson for the Education Office. “This will be reviewed again before a decision is taken about Monday.”
Pictured: The latest advice regarding coronavirus can be found at gov.gg
It is expected that more businesses and organisations will see a similar impact to Les Voies as Guernsey’s health authorities yesterday announced that it had upped local precautions following the World Health Organisation declaring COVID-19 as a pandemic.
The latest advice means anyone currently experiencing respiratory symptoms – including a cough, sore throat, running or blocked nose, muscle pains or fatigue – should stay at home until 48 hours after their symptoms have cleared up.
Meanwhile travel in and out of the island hasn’t been banned yet, but the service is asking that people “seriously consider” their trips.
“We’ve always said that we need a calm, proportionate approach, but our approach also needs to take into account the resilience of our local island infrastructure,” said Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink on Thursday. “So, we have had a more cautious, conservative approach and I think that has served us well over the last few months.
“These are early measures, because we are still in the containment phase, but we believe it is appropriate to introduce them, bearing in mind we live in an island with a single hospital, a single intensive care, a single suite of theatres.”
Those with respiratory symptoms are advised to work from home if they are able to and feel well enough, while following self isolation advice.
“If it’s going to work they have to self isolate,” explained Dr Brink. “It’s pointless people saying they’ll stay off work but go and socialise. It defeats the object.”
The measures will be reviewed regularly, but are expected to be in place for at least a month in the first instance.
Pictured top: Les Voies School was the first in Guernsey to close over coronavirus.