Plea for parents to ensure children off school are self-isolating after concerns some families are flouting rules

A council education spokesman is pleading with parents to make their children observe strict Covid self-isolation rules when off school after concerns were raised about some families in hot-spot areas.

Denbighshire’s lead member for education Huw Hilditch-Roberts made the plea after the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) was made aware of certain families continually flouting self-isolation rules.

Schoolchildren are told to self-isolate by Test, Trace and Protect (TTP) services when they have been in potential contact with someone who has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Health officials believe the measure halts community or in-school transmission of the virus and allows them to tackle infections before they become uncontrollable.

Some familes in hot-spot areas are alleged to have organised large gatherings with music and alcohol for groups outside the family circle, in contravention of guidelines and self-isolation rules.

There is a worry a lack of adherence to the rules from parents and their children could be feeding some of the rise in school isolations.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire council’s lead member for education, made a direct appeal to parents.

He said: “We know there are hot spots and I am pleading with parents and children alike to stick to the regulations and not meet outside of school.

“Children are isolating for a reason and these rules must be followed if we are to beat this silent disease.

“The biggest warning to children and families is you don’t need to have symptoms but you might be a carrier – and we have a duty to protect the vulnerable.

“If you are isolating off school it’s for a significant reason – and that is in order to protect others.

“So the duty is on the individual to do that.”

More than 300 pupils and seven staff were told to self-isolate on Tuesday and Wednesday this week between schools in Rhyl and Denbigh.

Schools in Rhyl have been hit particularly hard but school groups have been told to self-isolate across the county.

Inspector James Keane of North Wales police said: “We work closely with local authority partners and will respond to any reports of breaches around Covid regulations on a case by case business.

“We will continue to support the local authority with any Covid related issues, and will use enforcement measures where appropriate.”

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter