CYP Now - Local Government Association: Give councils power to close schools and nurseries with new Covid-19 cases

Councils should be given powers to close schools or early years settings where testing shows new clusters of Covid-19 cases, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.

Schools could open and close at different times if further lockdown measured are imposed, experts have warned

The LGA said empowering councils to make such a decision where an outbreak of the virus had occurred would ensure the safety of staff, parents and families remains “paramount” as schools and nurseries prepare to reopen next month.

Under plans announced by the Prime Minister on Sunday to begin easing lockdown measures, early years settings, schools, including special schools and alternative education provisions, in England will be able to open to more children from 1 June.

The new guidance also allowed childminders to open to children from one household from Wednesday (13 May)

The LGA said councils were working with schools to facilitate a safe phased return which will see three- and four-year olds and children in Year 1 and Year 6 among the first to take up childcare and school places.

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