Written question WQ83680

In nurseries and other childcare settings, there will always be a number of children with coughs, temperatures, runny noses and some of the other symptoms associated with COVID-19 or other winter viruses. Children under the age of five with COVID-19 symptoms and particularly respiratory symptoms (including a new cough) should be kept at home while they are unwell, but they can return to their setting when they feel well enough to do so even if they still have a cough.

From 11 October, where a child under the age of five displays any of the cardinal symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature, new continuous cough, loss of taste or smell), it is no longer recommended that they need to take a PCR test.

This is because many young children have these symptoms, and particularly upper respiratory symptoms but the evidence indicates that most of these are caused by other winter viruses. Young children testing positive for COVID-19 are less likely to be unwell or to pass it on to others.

Children under 5 can access a PCR test on the advice of a clinician, or if their parent or guardian has particular concerns, but otherwise they are not expected to. Undertaking a PCR or a lateral flow test is not a requirement for attending childcare provision.

All childcare providers in Wales have been informed that it would be unreasonable to assume every onset of a cough was COVID-19. The presence of a cough after the child is better in themselves does not prohibit them from attending their setting. All decisions should be taken in the overall best interests of the child.