Itself for a potential second wave of Covid-19

guidelines, schools will reopen full-time in the borough from September. And every school in Neath Port Talbot has a plan B in the event of a second wave of Covid-19, according to Cllr Jones.

“The reason why we’ve told them to plan a plan B is that we’ve got to anticipate that there’s going to be a second spike,” he said.

“We may not necessarily get spikes within schools but we may get spikes within communities where schools lie.

“Schools will be as safe as we can possibly make them but they’re never going to be riskfree.”

Pupils who return to school in September will be encouraged to wash their hands on arrival in the morning and some lessons could be taught outside if schools are able to, said Cllr Jones.

In secondary schools, pupils in years 7 to 9 will be taught in the same classroom bubble throughout the day to avoid unnecessary movement and contact with other pupils.

This will not be the case for pupils in years 10 to 13 because of the varied subjects and lessons they undertake, according to Cllr Jones.

He said the biggest logistical problem for the council currently in terms of reopening schools is school transport.

Cllr Jones is also conscious of the risk that an outbreak in a school would pose to the wider community, such as elderly relatives.

He doesn’t necessarily think there will be a second wave of coronavirus in the borough as soon as September but he warned that people are becoming “complacent” with lockdown rules.

He hopes people will continue to follow government guidelines.

“Social distancing is a personal responsibility even though it’s legislation.

“Some people will ignore it, some people will risk it and others will obey it. We can only do what we can do.

“There’s got to be a certain amount of responsibility taken by individuals and communities at large.”