Media Statement – SCG Response to Corona Virus queries
Shrewsbury Colleges Group students travelled to Valle d’Aosta in Italy on 28 February 2020 and returned on 7 March 2020.
The trip operated under government advice and was carefully risk assessed.
The Colleges Group can confirm the following facts regarding the ski trip:
- The ski trip took place within the Valle d’Aosta region which was in Category 2 before and throughout the trip. The resort is around 120 miles from the Category 1 areas in Italy which were initially in lockdown
- The trip returned on 7 March while the resort remained in Category 2. NHS and Public Health England advice is that people travelling to and from this area do NOT have to self-isolate upon return to the UK unless they feel ill.
- The staff and students travelled by coach to and from the resort and the UK and did not pass through any infected area or used any major transport hubs like airports where potential exposure to the virus would be greater
- Students and staff on the trip were given personal hygiene kits as well as guidance on handwashing and advice on the ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach for respiratory and cough hygiene
- Following the change in status issued by the Italian Government last night (9 March 2020) we called NHS111 at 7.00am this morning. The advice given was to ask all students and staff who were on the skiing trip to Italy to contact NHS111 and seek specific medical advice. We have therefore followed this government advice and asked the students and staff not to attend college today and until they have obtained this specific medical advice.
- We are reviewing the changing guidance and will continue to follow government expert advice
- Shrewsbury Colleges Group has followed government expert advice with regards to the Covid-19 virus at all times.
- We have done this to ensure that our students and staff are safe.
A spokesperson for the college said: “We have taken a consistent approach throughout and we have followed NHS and Public Health England guidance as this is based on expert scientific advice. This is to ensure students and staff are safe. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will respond to any further changes in government guidance.”