‘No talks’ about early closure of schools

WITH the new Omicron variant being discovered in the UK there is increasing anxiety about the Covid situation, writes Will Hayward.

Though cases of coronavirus in Wales have fallen to the lowest level since the start of September, the new, seemingly more easily spread variant has led to border closures around the world and significant concern among scientists.

Covid has affected everyone in Wales but one of the most impacted groups is children and young people. Months of school closures and education from home has caused real challenge and hardship, not just for kids, but also their parents who have to juggle the challenge of home working.

But will Omicron mean that we could see an early closure of schools before Christmas like we did in 2020?

Speaking last week Vaughan Gething said that only a “vaccine busting” new variant would effect the Christmas period.

“Christmas this year will undoubtedly be substantially better than last year because I really don’t think we’re going to have to make the same sort of decisions we did last year unless there really is a vaccine-busting variant that would cause real concern for us,” he said.

Well a new variant is here and there are concerns (though by no means confirmed) that our current vaccines will not be as effective against it.

When asked if there were any plans to close schools early for Christmas if cases rise or there is a growing threat from the Omicron variant, a Welsh Government spokesman said: “The decision framework for schools clearly sets out the conditions under which additional measures should be introduced to reflect local circumstances, helping maximise learning and minimise disruption to learners across Wales.”

We understand that no discussions have taken place within the Welsh Government about any early closure of schools before the Christmas break.

Welsh Government sources have told us that schools would be the last thing that would be closed in the event of any worsening of the Covid situation.

It must be stressed that as yet there isn’t a substantial body of evidence about Omicron at this point.

The UK Government has issued a similar statement.

When asked whether schools in England would be closed early for Christmas, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “That’s not something we are looking to do. We’ve always taken steps to keep schools open until we have no other choice. Children’s education has been disrupted during this pandemic and we’ve taken proportionate response.”