Schools have been warned they should be prepared to change or cancel Christmas events in response to Covid outbreaks in the county.

New guidance has been issued by the Herts County Council after almost 3,000 children and young people tested positive for the virus in the week to November 23.

Experts have said there is “no blanket recommendation” and decisions should be made based on schools’ own circumstances while balancing Covid risks.

At the end of last month health bosses were dealing with 233 outbreaks in schools and early years settings – with 255 cases confirmed among children in Watford.

There were also 245 cases in Three Rivers, 295 in Dacorum and 207 in Hertsmere.

The county council said: “It is a legal requirement that settings undertake a risk assessment for events, with consideration given to any additional risks and control measures needing to be put in place.

“There is no blanket recommendation in place that such events should be cancelled, your outbreak management plan should consider these events based on circumstances within your setting.

“In the event of an outbreak, you should be prepared to change or cancel events depending on the scale of the outbreak, associated risks, and advice from the HCC Public Health team.”

The guidance also highlighted increased risk of aerosols from singing or playing wind and brass instruments associated with performances.

Potential suggestions included moving events outside, live streaming or filming performances, keeping windows open and wearing face coverings.

Watford Observer: Cllr Terry Douris

It also urges schools to pay attention to the size of the audience, ventilation and the use of face coverings – suggesting limiting numbers or running a series of smaller events.

An ‘outbreak’ is recorded when five children, pupils, students or staff (or 10 per cent of that group) – who are likely to have mixed closely – test positive within a 10-day period.

Commenting on the Christmas events advice, county councillor Terry Douris reiterated that each school will make its own decisions.

“We have got no blanket recommendations in place across the county,” he added.

“And what we are saying is that individual schools will know how best to handle individual events taking place indoors or outside their school.”