Johnson’s back to school plan splits public opinion
Boris Johnson confirmed to MPS on Monday that all schools across England will reopen on March 8.
The reopening to all pupils was identified as the first of four major steps on the government’s roadmap to move the country out of lockdown while not jeopardising the progress made in the fight against the virus.
The full roadmap could see all current restrictions lifted by June 21, but this is the very earliest point that this could be achieved and is subject to numerous government reviews.
The decision to re-open schools has already prompted a range of reactions across the country.
Users commenting on the Chronicle’s sister website Somerset Live’s Facebook page have been sharing their reaction to the government’s decision.
Some stressed the importance of schools to children, with one user commenting that their child had “really struggled” during the lockdown and that going back to school was needed for children to get some normality back.
They said: “These children need to get back to school, a lot of my daughter’s teachers have thankfully had their first vaccines! My child’s mental health has really struggled and I am all for getting her back to some form of normality!”
Others supported the idea of returning children to school but questioned the logistics of the plans to achieve it, particularly in light of the need to test children before they return to the classroom.
Martin Somerton said: “I want kids back in school, but in secondary let’s just have some logistic sense. All back in school on the same day, yet must also be tested twice that week? A phased return over two weeks is logistically needed, or cancel the need for testing.”
Dani Wood said the government were “making the same mistakes” over schools, and she agreed that a phased re-opening would have been the solution.
She said: “The problem with making the same mistakes, is you end up with the same results. A phased return was the sensible option, one supported by all the scientific advice, in order to keep the infection rate lower while people are still being vaccinated.”
However, some remain of the opinion that re-opening schools at this point is a mistake and will have a knock-on effect by raising the R rate again across the country.
Cher Davey commented: “He has completely disregarded the scientific and medical advice with regards to how to open up, especially schools. Open schools push R up by 0.4 at least, so R is not low enough yet to open schools.”
The government’s roadmap lays out plans to ease restrictions gradually over the coming months, with each of the four main steps coming five weeks apart to allow the impact of each move to be assessed by the government.
Step 2, which is currently slated to come into effect on April 12, will see non-essential retail, personal care outlets such as hairdressers and salons, and outdoor hospitality venues - including pub gardens allowed to re-open.
Gyms and pools will also re-open at this time, along with theme parks, zoos and other outdoor areas.
Step 3, which will occur on May 17 at the earliest, will see pubs and restaurants allowed to re-open fully, along with the likes of cinemas.
This will also see the ‘rule of six’ permitted for people from different households meeting indoors, and restrictions on outdoor gatherings will be lifted for groups of up to 30 people.
The final phase, Step 4, at this time set to occur at the earliest on June 21, will see all legal restrictions on social contact lifted if the data permits it.