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<p>During the autumn term, the department provided CO2 monitors to all state-funded
education providers, including early years, schools and further education colleges,
backed by £25 million in government funding.</p><p>We have now delivered on our public
commitment with over 353,000 monitors delivered in the autumn term. Feedback suggests
that schools are finding the monitors helpful to manage ventilation and, in most schools,
colleges and nurseries, existing ventilation measures are sufficient. There is no
requirement from the department for providers to record readings or share these with
the department.</p><p>Where an area of poor ventilation has been identified, settings
should first look to implement simple measures like opening windows and doors. When
CO2 monitors indicate good ventilation, there is no need to keep windows fully open
at all times. Opening windows regularly for 10 minutes, or a small amount continuously,
can still reduce the airborne risk from COVID-19 substantially compared to spaces
with no fresh air. If the ventilation issue cannot be easily resolved, schools are
advised to explore what remedial works are needed. It may be appropriate to consider
the use of an air cleaning unit while the underlying issue is addressed. Air cleaning
units are suggested as a possible interim measure to help minimise transmission risk
but do not improve ventilation levels.</p><p>When used properly, air cleaning units
can help reduce airborne contaminants in a poorly ventilated space, including viruses
like COVID-19; they do not provide additional ventilation. Air cleaning units are
not a substitute for ventilation and should never be used as a reason to reduce ventilation.
They are not necessary in spaces that are adequately ventilated.</p><p>The department
is also making up to 8,000 air cleaning units available for poorly ventilated teaching
spaces in state-funded education providers, where quick fixes to improve ventilation
are not possible.</p><p>Deliveries will start from this week to special educational
needs and disabilities and alternative provision (AP) schools, colleges and nurseries.
These were allocated in the first application round announced in November 2021.</p><p>The
second round of applications was open until 9am on 17 January. All state funded schools,
colleges and nurseries could apply.<strong> </strong>Special and AP providers that
were not successful or did not apply in the first round were also eligible to apply
in this round. All applications will be assessed against strict criteria and allocated
to providers based on need. Schools, colleges and nurseries with successful applications
will be contacted individually to arrange delivery, with deliveries expected from
February 2022.</p><p>For those settings that were not eligible for funded units, the
online marketplace provides a route to purchasing air cleaning units directly from
suppliers at a suitable specification and competitive price. Further information is
available here: <a href="https://s107t01-webapp-v2-01.azurewebsites.net/list/air-cleaning"
target="_blank">https://s107t01-webapp-v2-01.azurewebsites.net/list/air-cleaning</a>.</p><p>Throughout
the COVID-19 outbreak, we have emphasised the importance of ventilation and provided
guidance to providers on ventilation requirements. In addition to our existing guidance
on ventilation we have provided schools, colleges and nurseries with guidance on how
to use the air cleaning units as well as how to order a unit via the marketplace.
The application process has been communicated to providers via our Daily Bulletin
and we continue to support providers with their queries via the Coronavirus Helpline.</p>
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