MP’S ideas to cut virus risk in pubs and schools
SCHOOLS should consider spreading their working week into Saturdays and pubs should issue straws to customers to help reduce the risk of coronavirus infections, a Swansea MP has said.
Geraint Davies stressed that he did not expect teachers to work six days a week, but felt the same number of teaching hours over a longer period would mean fewer pupils in school at any one time and more social distancing.
“Teachers are working very hard in difficult circumstances,” said the Swansea West MP.
“I am not asking for teachers to work six days a week.”
But he said flexible learning, such as four days a week for each pupil – including one remotelearning day – and staggered start times could decrease the risk of transmission.
“All our interest is in our children being educated as safely as they can be,” said the Labour MP.
On ways to lower the transmission risk, he added: “That could include the same number of teaching hours, with the school week spread into Saturday. It’s something that should be considered.”
Mr Davies said pupils who didn’t have their own laptop should be provided with one for remote learning.
The Welsh Government has issued a raft of guidance to help schools operate as safely as possible.
Pupils in many schools are having to self-isolate due to infections.
On September 21, Mr Davies tweeted: “To prevent 50,000 cases a day UK must reduce movement and assembly, the engines of infection, by maximising remote working from home; schools open 6 days but each child for 4 days so schools only 2/3rds full; wear masks and use straws in pubs.”
The hospitality sector has been trying to recover lost ground since the spring lockdown – and Mr Davies felt that drinking through straws and wearing masks in pubs would make people more confident about visiting their local.
“It’s something that should be looked at,” he told the Evening Post.
“I think you would find more people wanting to go to a pub.
“People want pubs to be open, and those who run pubs want to have a livelihood, but everyone supports public health.”
Pubs in England will have to close at 10pm from Thursday, and provide table service only.
Extra restrictions came coming into force at 6pm yesterday in Bridgend, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil and Newport, on top of those in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Mr Davies said wearing masks in pubs shouldn’t be too much of a burden.
“When you’re in a pub you’re not constantly drinking,” he said.
“It is more difficult with meals, but half the time you’re there you’re waiting for your meal.”
All our interest is in our children being educated as safely as they can be
- Geraint Davies MP