The UK government has ordered all primary schools in London to remain closed before the start of the new term next week in an effort to curb hospital admissions due to coronavirus overcrowding.
From Monday, the primary schools of the capital – for children aged 5 to 11 – will have to offer long distance students to study. Vulnerable children and their caregivers who are key employees will continue to attend school. Kindergarten schools will remain open, the government said on Friday.
The government had initially removed 10 London sites from the list of schools to be closed, but agreed after local authorities complained to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. London Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the change in government attitude.
London has one of the highest rates of Covid-19 infections per person – in the last week of full details, the capital had 807 cases per 100,000 people, compared to an average of 675 last week.
“The situation in London continues to deteriorate so today we are taking steps to protect the community and reduce the spread of the disease in the community,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in a statement.