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<p>Data on variants of concern is held by the Department of Health and Social Care,
where Public Health England (PHE) leads on surveillance and outbreak management. Data
on variants, including the Delta variant (B.1.617.2), was considered by the Government
as part of meeting the four tests, in making the decision to proceed with Step 3 of
the roadmap announced on 10 May.</p><p>PHE has published a technical briefing on COVID-19
variants of concern and variants under investigation in England, which is available
here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/991343/Variants_of_Concern_VOC_Technical_Briefing_14.pdf"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/991343/Variants_of_Concern_VOC_Technical_Briefing_14.pdf</a>.
This sets out (page 36-45) data on the number of clusters or outbreaks associated
with a range of settings, including education settings, covering the latest available
data and the period prior to the decision and announcement on Step 3.</p><p>PHE also
publishes the total number of cases of each variant in the UK as part of information
on variants of COVID-19, which is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/new-sars-cov-2-variant"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/new-sars-cov-2-variant</a>.
This includes total confirmed Delta variant cases and prevalence split by region,
as part of PHE weekly technical briefings, covering the latest available data and
previously the period prior to the decision and announcement on Step 3.</p><p>The
Government’s decision that face coverings no longer need to be worn in classrooms
by staff, pupils or students, or in corridors or communal areas by pupils and students,
was made in line with Step 3 of the roadmap. When the policy on face coverings in
classrooms was introduced, this was an appropriate precautionary temporary measure
while rates of infection were high in the community. As the four tests for easing
restrictions in Step 3 of the roadmap were met, it was an appropriate time to remove
the recommendation. In all schools we continue to recommend that face coverings should
be worn by staff and visitors in situations outside of classrooms where social distancing
is not possible.</p><p>While this moves children towards a greater sense of normality,
measures within the PHE-supported system of controls remain very important to reduce
transmission in schools, for example, social distancing and regular hand washing.
Regular rapid testing will also continue to help find and isolate asymptomatic cases
when they do occur, and we continue to encourage everyone to play their part and test
themselves twice each week.</p><p>The reintroduction of face coverings for pupils,
students or staff may be advised for a temporary period in response to localised outbreaks,
including variants of concern. In all cases, any educational drawbacks should be balanced
with the benefits of managing transmission. The Local Action Committee structure (bronze/silver/gold)
should be used in such circumstances to re-introduce the use of face coverings. Immediate
outbreak response (at the level of individual settings or a cluster of settings) remains
for local directors of public health to advise on.</p>
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