Well HELLO people, it's been a while! I hope that you and your families have been keeping safe and well during this challenging time. Please read through this, as I need you to acknowledge that you have read and understand the important precautions we need to take during lessons until the risk of infection has gone.
Whether or not you have been working throughout this period, the lives of everyone have been pretty much turned upside down, so getting back to normal won't be easy or quick. As you know, most driving instructors (ADIs) stopped working on the 23rd March, though exceptions were made for teaching essential workers. However, the vast majority of ADIs have been waiting for things to improve and heeding government advice before resuming.
For those of you with tests booked (theory or practical), there is no word yet from the DVSA about when test centres will be re-opening. You were given alternative test dates, but bear in mind that, even if the test centres are open, you still need to be ready for the test; this might mean postponing further to ensure that you are up to standard.
With the lockdown now being eased in stages, along with many other driving schools, Fit2drive will be re-opening soon. If the easing continues, and unless I am advised otherwise, this will be in w/c 8th June.
It is very clear that there will be a degree of risk for everyone for some time to come, so together we need to manage this risk for the good of you, me, and all our families. This will mean thorough virus control measures that have become familiar, but are still very necessary.
So for me, this means the following:
- Apart from driving lessons, I will be to adhering to social separation advice at all times.
- I am using hand sanitizer, wipes or hand washing after any contact with any surfaces in public spaces. These will be on hand for any pupils to use on lessons if needed.
- Between lessons, all controls, handles mirrors etc. in my tuition car are being wiped down with sanitizing spray.
- I will be wearing a washable face mask and changing this at least once a day.
- Weather permitting, the windows and sunroof will be left open to allow better ventilation which minimizes risk.
For pupils, I would ask the following:
- If you have had any symptoms of the virus within the last 7 days or have been in contact with someone who has within the last 14 days, you will need to pause lessons and self-isolate for 7 days. See NHS guidance here.
- If you are at moderate or high risk of infection, please let me know as it would clearly be unwise for lessons to continue for the time being.
- In order to ensure a 'clean start', lessons will start and finish at your home wherever possible. Please wash your hands thoroughly (20 seconds min.) before the lesson. If a home start is not possible, then hand sanitizing will need to be done before getting in the car.
- Please provide a face mask which will be worn throughout the lesson. I have these on hand if you don't have one.
- You can make use of sanitizing hand spray at any time, but this is equally important at the end of the lesson.
- As usual, I have a plentiful supply of tissues for coughs and sneezes, and these will be disposed of safely straight after use. Re-application of sanitizing spray etc. will be used as appropriate.
I feel that sensible and thorough adherence to the points above will minimize risk as much as is practical, but if you can suggest anything else which would make you feel safer during lessons, then please let me know.
I will be contacting everyone the week before to schedule lessons, but if you cannot or don't want to resume for any reason, please let me know. I will not be charging a cancellation fee if a lesson is called off due to COVID-19 issues.
Keep safe, keep well.
John.