WHAT GOVERNMENT SAYS ABOUT SCHOOL TRANSPORT
“LOCAL authorities should work with schools and transport operators to consider how mixing might be minimised on school transport.
“However, we know vehicle capacity and the complexity of some home to school transport arrangements mean there will often be limits to the extent to which mixing can be minimised.”
Wherever possible, it is recommended that:
■children and young people from different schools do not travel at the same time or, if they do, the children from each school should sit together as a group;
■children either sit with their ‘bubble’ on school transport, or with the same constant group of children each day;
■local authorities and transport providers work with schools to put in place arrangements for organised queuing and boarding.
“We acknowledge that distancing and grouping may sometimes not be possible. Where they are not possible, other measures in the system of controls become even more important.”
The guidance adds: “In accordance with advice from Public Health England, we recommend local authorities advise children and young people aged 11 and over to wear a face covering when travelling on dedicated transport.
“This does not apply to people who are exempt from wearing a face covering on public transport.”
Public health bosses in Leicester and Leicestershire have stressed that children are less likely to contract the virus or suffer serious illness if they do.