Q&A: Parents' guide to close contact changes

10,000 children currently isolating at home because they were close contacts can return to school on Monday without having Covid test

All other infection prevention and control measures will remain in place, such as pods, bubbles, a focus on hand hygiene and ventilation, and the wearing of masks amongst staff.

What changes come into effect from Monday?

A: From Monday, the automatic contact tracing of asymptomatic close contacts in children over the age of three months, and under the age of 13, that arise in creches, primary schools, social and sporting groups will no longer take place.