SCHOOLS can’t reopen safely by June 1, an independent group of scientific experts has warned.
Former Chief Scientific Adviser and chair of ‘the Independent SAGE’ group, Sir David King, has urged the Government to push back the date to reopen the nation’s schools.
Boris Johnson has been adamant schools should reopen by June 1 for primary school pupils in reception, year one and year six to give them a month of learning before the summer holidays.
The group of top experts, who will meet at midday today, said the risk to children will be HALVED if they return just two weeks later.
The Independent group has said that will allow more time for the Government to set up a robust test, trace and isolate programme.
The PM said on Wednesday the new contact tracing system would be rolled out throughout the nation by June 1 – but school union bosses have said this still isn’t enough to keep teachers safe.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said last night: “The Prime Minister has said we have high confidence the system will be in place by June 1 and then will grow stronger and stronger.”
Their report also suggested that schools could use local sports clubs, playing fields and football stadiums to give all children educational opportunities – not just a handful of pupils in particular year groups.
The committee will be joined by parents, teachers and trade union representatives to discuss the best steps schools should take in the coming weeks.
Despite ministers’ best efforts to convince teachers and parents it is safe for kids to return to classrooms, attempts to get schools ready to be reopened have faced repeated opposition from councils, parents and unions.
Analysis by HOAR estimates that more than 2,000 primary schools will stay closed passed the June 1 date as 28 local authorities prepare to defy Government advice.
The Independent Sage group has slammed the Government for failing to bring in contact tracing faster – saying it could have curbed new infections in just three weeks.
The nation has been in lockdown for almost three weeks, and attempts to bring in a contact tracing programme have been delayed.
Professor of Virology at UCL Deenan Pillay said at the group’s last meeting: “The countries that have done (contact tracing) at speed have shown that they could suppress the virus within about 3 weeks and get the deaths right down.”
“You must always find the virus, every case, test for them if you can but if you can’t, trace (and) isolate.”
The warning comes after Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday that schools in Scotland would not be reopening until August.
And even then kids will only go back part-time, she said.
Michael Tildesley, an associate professor at Warwick University who sits on the Government’s scientific advisory group for emergencies, said: “Cautiously, I think we’re in a position where we can start to think about opening schools in the next few weeks.
“But these relaxations need to be done gradually, you need to be monitoring it and if necessary prepare to reinstate lockdown measures, including schools closures if we do start to see cases rising.”
The British Medical Association, which represents doctors, dropped its hardline opposition to reopening.
In a massive softening of its position, the BMA said schools can reopen on June 1 “as long as it is safe to do so”.
