London’s Guildhall School closes after teacher tests positive for Coronavirus

One of the UK’s leading schools for music and dramatic art has been forced to close after a member of its teaching staff tested positive for Coronavirus. 

The principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London emailed staff and students shortly after 5pm today to advise that the school would close for 14 days from Monday ‘as a precautionary measure’, according to an email obtained by The Guardian newspaper.

The email states: ’We regret to inform you that a member of teaching staff has tested positive for Coronavirus. He is currently recovering well at the Royal Free hospital. He was present and teaching in one of the ancillary school buildings on one day last week. He came into contact with a limited number of students and we are working closely with those students to ensure that they receive urgent appropriate advice.’

A statement on the GSMD’s website reads: ’Guildhall School can confirm that a member of its teaching staff has tested positive for COVID19. The School has been given Public Health England advice. The staff and Principal are working closely with students to ensure that they receive urgent appropriate advice.’

In line with current government advice, the GSMD is advising any staff and students who exhibit any symptoms during the 14-day period to use the Coronavirus online helpline (www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19 ) and to notify their line manager or their department head. All on-site activities in the next 14 days should be cancelled. Staff are encouraged to work remotely during this period and if they are in any doubt of how to do so should contact their line manager.