Schools to find out new Covid-19 rules as bubble system leaves thousands missing lessons
England’s schools will later find out how the government plans to relax rules that have led to thousands of children being sent home if a single child has a positive Covid test.
Boris Johnson said education secretary Gavin Williamson will outline a move away from ‘bubbles’ of children being sent home if one tests positive.
The PM hinted the system would involve increased testing, adding: “And obviously the way forward is with testing rather than sending the bubbles home.”
According to the BBC, last week the school ‘bubble’ system saw more than 375,000 children sent home, having possibly come into contact with Covid.
The changes are expected to come in on 19 July, coinciding with ‘freedom day’, which Johnson is keen to push ahead with and will see the vast majority of Covid rules scrapped.
As Covid cases have risen, the number of children sent home from school has increased, however only around four per cent of children have been confirmed positive for Covid-19, leading some to suggest that only possible contact with the virus means it’s unnecessary for so many children to miss lessons.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday evening, Johnson said the government will be imposing very few Covid restrictions from now on and will instead rely on people to use their own judgement to stay safe.
“We have to balance the risks, the risks of the disease which the vaccinations have reduced, but very far from eliminated, and the risks of continuing legally enforced restrictions which are taking a toll on people’s lives and livelihoods, health and mental health,” Johnson said.
“If we can’t open our society in the next few weeks…we must ask ourselves when will be be able to return to normal?”