Kia ora e te whānau,

Promise this will be my final email of the day!

As you will have seen the rules around close contacts change as of 11.59pm tonight. The message you received this morning was completely in line with the Ministry of Education guidelines (at that time) but these guidelines will now change to fall in line with Phase Three. 

As of 11.59pm this evening.

Only confirmed cases and their household contacts – the people they live with – will be required to isolate. All other contacts will be asked to monitor for symptoms but they will not have to isolate. 

This means all identified close contacts (unless they have symptoms or a household close contact as well) can return to school tomorrow.

Please email absences@ashs.school.nz if your young person is a household close contact or is remaining at home for a different reason. Also please ensure you contact us if your young person is ever unwell and if they return a positive test. 

We apologise for any confusion caused by the shifting of these messages, it was important that we followed the MoE processes closely this morning. 

Please continue to follow good hand-washing and hygiene practices

• Wash often with soap for 20 seconds and dry your hands completely.
• Wash your hands if you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your face if your hands are not clean.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or cover your mouth with tissues. 
• Keep your mask on!