MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' schools and Leisure Center will be reopening next Monday

Falklands Community School

Falkland Islands schools in Stanley are making final preparations for reopening on Monday, May 11. Camp Education, an integral part of the schooling system also re-opens on the same day.

According to the Falkland Islands government, FIG, a comprehensive information pack to assist ahead of the reopening has been sent to all parents. It includes an extensive series of common questions and their answers on social distancing in schools and hygiene, protection and cleanliness measures.

Information is also provided about Camp Education and Stanley House and Year 11 students. Stanley House hosts Camp students and will also reopen on May 11. All parents have been contacted so that FIG can assess needs and make appropriate staff and accommodation plans.

Due to travel restrictions, there will be changes in place, for example restrictions at present prevent Camp Education travelling teachers from visiting West Falkland.

Parents of children who usually work through Camp Education have been contacted.

There are no restrictions for people who live on East Falkland to travel to Stanley to bring their children to school and to Stanley House. If parents would like to talk through concerns, please contact the schools or the School Nurse service on 28080.

Stanley Leisure Centre will also be reopening in a controlled manner in line with the FIG easing of some restrictions. School use will restart on Monday, 11 May with strict supervision and management of pupil PE lessons by the Schools.

Public use on a restricted basis will start on Monday 18 May. The Centre will not allow casual use or entry. Access will be by prior booking only. This will enable the Leisure Centre to control numbers entering the building and only to open the building when there are confirmed bookings in place.

This covers all facilities including the sports hall, squash court and fitness room.

The Centre Reception doors will be kept locked and only opened once booked sessions are due. Clients will need to wait outside until the sessions are due to start.

The centre is maintaining a cleaning and hygiene protocol and taking other steps to ensure social distancing and other public health precautions are observed.

For more detail see the Leisure Centre Reopening document on thepage, under Latest Updates, or go to the Stanley Leisure Centre Facebook page.

It can be found at the page under the heading of Protecting Your Workforce During COVID-19.

Likewise as part of the new FIG instructions, government businesses and FIG will begin to restart on Monday11 May, with workers from all sectors able to return unless otherwise advised. Guidance from the Government can be found at the fig.gov.fk/Covid-19 page under the heading of Protecting Your Workforce During COVID-19.

The guidance outlines to businesses what they need to think about and plan for to resume activities and provide a safe environment for staff, and those using their services.