CHILDREN across the borough will return to school next week, as part of the prime minister’s plan to ease lockdown.
Last Monday, Boris Johnson told the House of Commons he wanted schoolchildren to return to their classrooms on Monday, March 8.
This gives school staff two weeks to prepare for the return.
He said restrictions would be revisited every five weeks, to monitor the spread of the virus.
Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services said the borough council supports the return of children and young people back into face-to-face teaching.
“Not only will this allow them to catch up academically, but it is also so vitally important for their social and emotional wellbeing,” she said.
“We believe teachers should be made a priority group to receive the vaccines and are lobbying the Department for Education and other government departments to support this.
“We are assured that our voices, along with others across the country, are being taken into consideration in decision making nationally on this matter.”
The Lib Dem group also supported the call to vaccinate all school staff as quickly as possible.
Cllr Lindsay Ferris, leader of the group said: “Teachers and teaching assistants need receive their vaccines earlier — potentially over the Easter break.
“We do not want a school to be impacted by teachers falling ill with Covid-19, with all the knock on impacts that would occur, particularly as the vaccine rollout is going so well.”
Cllr Clark said the borough council will “continue to monitor attendance” and work with schools and parents on supporting the safe return to school.
Along with schools reopening, from March 8, wraparound childcare can reopen and other children’s activities can restart for all children — where it is needed to enable parents to work, attend education, seek medical care or attend a support group.
There will continue to be restrictions on international travel, and holidays are not considered a permitted reason to travel.
And the rules on visiting care homes will change to allow regular indoor visits for a single named visitor.
From the same date, residents will also be allowed to meet one person outside of their household or bubble socially — albeit with social distancing measures.
This must be done outside and in a public place, such as a park.
It means residents do not need to exercise with a friend in order to meet with them, and can now sit on a bench and enjoy a picnic together.
However mixing in gardens and homes is still prohibited.
People on the shielding list are advised to carry on until at least the end of March.
Step two
Mr Johnson said businesses are due to begin reopening their doors no earlier than Monday, April 12.
The second phase will see leisure restrictions begin to ease, including for cafes, pubs and restaurants outdoors, as well as hairdressers and salons.
Other places allowed to open include gyms, libraries and community centres, all retail, outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas.
Step three
In phase three, indoor entertainment centres, accommodation and organised indoor sport will commence, no earlier than Monday, May 17.
Any remaining outdoor entertainment events, such as performances, will also be given the go ahead, with limits on capacity.
International travel may also resume in step three, but has not yet been confirmed.
Step four
On Monday, June 21 at the earliest, the government will launch the final step of its road to recovery.
This includes opening any businesses which are still closed, such as nightclubs, and allowing large events, such as theatre performances.
For more information visit: www.gov.uk
This story was published in the print edition of February 25, before the Government announced the next round of vaccinations, which will continue to be age related
