Pupils and staff at CedarBridge Academy were told to quarantine for two weeks after a possible exposure to Covid-19.

A Ministry of Education spokeswoman said Ayoola Oyinloye, the Chief Medical Officer, instructed that the stay-at-home order was in place from December 4 until and including December 18.

Dr Oyinloye said: “This includes not attending birthday parties, extracurricular activities, social engagements, other places of employment, public places, public transport, grocery stores, etc.

“Non-essential visitors must not enter the home.

“For children, the child’s main caregiver(s) and close contacts within the home (including brothers and sisters) must also remain at home.

“Other household members 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 added: “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 Chief Medical Officer said that pupils must be tested for the coronavirus and that staff and teachers were already tested.

He added: “Please speak with your doctors about getting tested.”

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, said: “While I understand the concern regarding the length of time it has taken to get this directive from health, we understand the tremendous job they are doing to trace these Covid-19 cases.

“We are grateful to the Ministry of Health for the testing that has already taken place.”

He said that a special testing clinic will be held between midday and 5pm today at the Perot Post Office.

Mr Rabain added: “Due to the number of CedarBridge Academy students requiring testing, multiple testing days will be arranged.

“The principal of CedarBridge Academy will contact the parent or guardian of a student to arrange their appointments.

“Students must attend with a responsible adult who can consent to testing on behalf of the child.

“The responsible adult must bring a valid, government-issued picture ID for themselves and if possible for the child that they are consenting for.

“I encourage full participation and compliance from everyone.

“I want the CedarBridge family to stay safe and well.”

The Ministry of Health will assess the results after all tests are completed.

But an education spokeswoman added: “Negative test results by a particular child or family will not automatically mean release from quarantine.

“The Ministry of Health will inform the affected families about updates to the recommended public health measures.”

· Anyone with questions about Covid-19 was asked to contact their healthcare provide or e-mail schoolsurv@gov.bm , Guidelines are available at www.gov.bm/coronavirus.