BREAKFAST clubs and after school groups will be allowed to return in just two weeks as part of Boris Johnson’s plan to unlock Britain.
Boris Johnson today confirmed kids would be able to join the out of school groups as students in England were told they will go back to class from March 8.
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Speaking tonight, the PM said the UK was on a “one way journey” to get out of lockdown as he revealed the four steps that would get life back to normal.
And he confirmed after-school sport and clubs would be able to open in just weeks.
He said March 8 would allow the groups to once again start to meet.
It comes as…
Professor Chris Whitty today said he fully supported the move to get kids back to school – saying the face mask measures and increased testing would help ensure the safety of students and staff.
The Chief Medical Officer said: “It is absolutely universally accepted that there are huge advantages for children to be in school – mentally and physically and for their education and life.
“If you keep children out of school, every child is disadvantaged.”
Prof Whitty said in contrast, the risk of Covid to kids was “incredibly low”, adding: “We are confident that given the huge benefits of school, the residual risk is strongly in favour of children – primary and secondary – going to school.”
And he said the Easter holidays in five weeks time would provide a natural “fire break” if cases in schools started to grow.
It comes as the lowest death toll in ten weeks was today recorded – while the number of week-on-week infections grew for the first time since the start of January.
Previously the use of face coverings has been left to the discretion of head teachers, but they have now been recommended by the Government.
The roadmap released today states: “The Government recommends that the use of face coverings in Higher Education, Further Education and secondary schools is extended for a limited period to all indoor environments – including classrooms – unless 2m social distancing can be maintained.
“Face coverings are now also recommended in early years and primary schools for staff and adult visitors in situations where social distancing between adults is not possible, for example, when moving around in corridors and communal areas.
“All children will once again be expected to attend school, as they were in the autumn term.”
But speaking in a press conference tonight, Boris Johnson today confirmed the measures would only be in place until the end of term.
Schools are set to return from March 8 for all pupils in all year groups in England – rather than a staggered approach.
The PM had vowed to give at least two weeks’ notice to parents and teachers.
There may be a few days leeway in order to test everyone as they return to the classrooms.
Children in Scotland and Wales started to go back today.
Younger kids are returning in small numbers, before more join them in the next few weeks.
It came as it emerged pupils will be given extra classes during the summer holidays to help them catch up with lessons missed during the pandemic.
