"Significant caution" urged when re-opening schools

The general secretaries of ten teacher trade unions have signed a letter to education ministers, urging for significant caution in any consideration of re-opening schools, saying that it could create a "very real risk of creating a spike in the transmission of the virus".

The letter was sent by British and Irish Group of Teacher Unions (BIGTU), which collectively represents almost one million education practitioners and staff.

The letter says that opening the schools before any “test trace and isolate” system is in place, "would be catastrophic to the rate of infection".

The letter also says schools cannot reopen as normal and would require significant operational changes to ensure effective social distancing, strong hygiene routines linked to thorough cleansing practices, appropriate PPE available where required, and ongoing risk assessments in place to monitor operations.

It says that a phased return will be required and priorities established around attendance, which is likely to be part time for most pupils.

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