Don’t take kids out of school or cancel nativity plays, says Boris Johnson despite Plan B restrictions
BORIS Johnson has told parents to not take kids out of school or cancel nativity plays – despite rolling out Plan B restrictions. The PM told schoolkids tonight to continue on as normal and enjoy their Christmas festivities amid fears over Omicron. Boris made clear that Brits shouldn’t cancel their Christmas festivities – and that […]
BORIS Johnson has told parents to not take kids out of school or cancel nativity plays – despite rolling out Plan B restrictions.
The PM told schoolkids tonight to continue on as normal and enjoy their Christmas festivities amid fears over Omicron.
Boris made clear that Brits shouldn’t cancel their Christmas festivities – and that kids should stay in school unless absolutely necessary.
The PM told parents that he doesn’t want schoolkids missing time in their classrooms – and he said that their nativity plays should go ahead despite Plan B.
Mr Johnson also said the “most important thing” was for Brits to get their booster jabs after previously praising the Sun’s Jabs Army campaign.
Schools across the country have already introduced changes to kids’ nativity plays as the mutant Omicron variant continues to threaten Christmas.
Children may be grouped into ‘acting bubbles’ and separate scenes could be recorded then edited together in a bid to keep Covid at bay.
Parents have been warned that their children’s festive plays will look different, as many schools plan to live stream and edit their traditional shows.
The Department of Education confirmed that it was up to schools to decide if they want to host plays before Christmas – as there is currently no limit on group size for events, either indoor or outdoor.
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A spokesperson said: “Our guidance to schools states that schools can continue to hold events where visitors such as parents are on-site, for example, school plays.
“But they should take steps to improve fresh air flow in these areas, where gatherings are taking place.”
Two weeks ago, it became mandatory for children in Year 7 and above to wear face masks in school.
Children and staff should wear face coverings in communal areas of schools and colleges – in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Secondary school pupils are “strongly advised” to return to wearing face coverings in corridors and assemblies, the Department of Education said.
And kids who have come into contact with an Omicron contact will be thrown into 10-day self- isolation – potentially causing disruption to learning.
However, no new rules on wearing face masks during lessons and in classrooms have been announced.
This comes as Mr Johnson tonight told Brits to work from home and use vaccine passports for nightclubs and footie matches in a fresh Covid squeeze.
At a gloomy press conference, the PM pulled the trigger on the Government’s Plan B to tackle the rising tide of Omicron cases ripping across Britain.
He announced he was toughening the rules as scientists warned the NHS could be swamped by 1,000 daily patients infected with the super-strain.
Flanked by top docs Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance, the PM relayed sobering evidence that the mutation is doubling between every 2.5 and three days.
SCHOOLS NOT OUT
Giving a Commons statement at the same time Health Secretary Sajid Javid told MPs there are 568 confirmed cases variant – but the estimated current number is “probably closer to 10,000”.
It means people will be required to show they’re either double-jabbed or provide a negative test for crowded gatherings.
It applies for nightclubs, indoor events with 500 attendees or large outdoor gatherings like sports games.
From Monday the guidance – but not the law – will change asking all but key workers to work remotely as they did from March last year to July’s Freedom Day.
Mr Johnson said: “I know this will be hard for many people, but by reducing your contacts in the workplace, you will help slow transmission.”
And from Friday current mask requirements will be extended from just shops and public transport to cover all enclosed spaces – but not in pubs.
More to follow…
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