TRAFFORD'S health bosses are advising children to avoid school if a household member tests positive for Covid in response to a rise in cases – and in contrast to national guidelines.

The Messenger has been given a letter sent to all parents at St Antony's Roman Catholic School in Urmston on Wednesday.

It details the localised guidelines from Public Health Trafford, explaining the change is down to the borough's rise in cases.

All primary or secondary schools in the borough are thought to have been issued the guidelines, which are not compulsory.

READ MORE: Covid: What's the situation in Trafford a month after schools opened?

The letter reads: "In response to Trafford having the third highest Covid rates across Greater Manchester, with increasing cases in five to 15-year-olds, children will now be advised to stay at home when a household member tests positive for Covid."

This applies whether the household member tests positive using a PCR Test or a Lateral Flow Test.

On the third day after the household member's symptoms started, children are advised to take a PCR Test which, if negative, will allow them to return to school. At secondary school, children are also advised to take a Lateral Flow Test for 10 days.

The letter reads: "Any parents who still want their children to continue to attend school have the right to send their children into the setting.

"In these situations, we strongly advise the precautions as described above should be taken, but we recognise that this cannot be enforced."

These localised guidelines go against the national guidelines for England, which advise children to continue to attend school 'as normal' if a household member tests positive for Covid.

However, there is a provision included in the national guidelines allowing the director of public health in a particular area to respond to a 'substantial' rise in cases as and when needed.

The Messenger has asked Public Health Trafford and the Department for Education for a comment.