Pupils and staff at an East End middle school have been told to quarantine for two weeks in the wake of potential Covid-19 exposure, it was revealed last night.

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, said that, based on advice from the Chief Medical Officer, all pupils, and staff at Clearwater Middle School in St David’s must isolate themselves.

Mr Rabain added: “This means that they must stay home from school and other activities for 14 days from December 1 until and including December 15 in response to a potential exposure to Covid-19.

“This also includes not attending birthday parties, extracurricular activities, social engagements, other places of employment, public spaces, public transport, grocery stores and so on.”

He added that any close contacts – including caregivers and other children in families – should also stay at home.

Mr Rabain told the public: “Other household members, including brothers and sisters, who are able to separate – separate bedroom and bathroom, no common spaces – from the child within the home are not required to remain at home unless your child is experiencing Covid‐19 symptoms or has a positive Covid‐19 test.”

He said pupils and staff must be retested for the coronavirus on or after December 15 and the Ministry of Health will organise a special test clinic.

Mr Rabain said: “Once the Day 14 test results are completed, the Ministry of Health will assess all test results.”

He added: “Negative test results by a particular child or family will not automatically mean a return to school.

“The Ministry of Health will inform the school and affected families on updates to the recommended public health measures.

“The Ministry of Education will inform parents and teachers of school reopening updates following testing results.”

Kalmar Richards, the Commissioner of Education, said: “The Department of Education reminds all staff, students and parents that all public health guidelines must be followed by these other household members inside and outside of the home.

“This includes mask-wearing, hand hygiene and physical distancing.”

The Ministry of Education said last Sunday that a “non-teaching worker” at the school had tested positive for the coronavirus, but the school was safe to open.

But the handful of teachers and pupils who attended the school on Monday were sent home after two hours so the school could get a deep clean.

But parents were told on Wednesday the school would close for the rest of the week because of “potential exposure”.

Ayoola Oyinloye, the Chief Medical Officer, said at the time there were “no restrictions on activities outside of the home”.

But Dr Oyinloye added pupils, staff and others should follow public health guidelines, wear masks and practice social distancing.