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<p>The Department has been in close communication with various stakeholders, including
some with connections to youth arts, since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak with
respect to residential trips. We will continue this communication over the coming
months.</p><p>The guidance for full opening of schools and the guidance for holiday
and after school clubs, and other out-of-school settings, set out the Department’s
current position in relation to educational visits. They can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools</a>
and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/protective-measures-for-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/protective-measures-for-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak</a>.</p><p>At
present, schools and out-of-school settings can undertake COVID-19 secure day visits
within the UK but are advised against the resumption of domestic and overseas residential
educational visits. This is because, unlike boarding schools, residential settings
have a transient population with different groups rotating in and out of the centre
on a weekly basis. This constant change of population serves to increase the risk
of COVID-19 transmission.</p><p>This decision has not been taken lightly and is taken
in the context of the Government announcing new national restrictions to address rising
cases of COVID-19 in England. This position will be reviewed again before the end
of November 2020.</p><p> </p>
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