Primary schools across Portsmouth could re-open on June 1 amid as Boris Johnson looks to ease lockdown
PRIMARY schools could be allowed to re-open in a matter of weeks under the prime minister’s ‘comprehensive plan’ to ease Britain’s lockdown.
The schools could be given the green light to open their doors for primary-aged youngsters as soon as June 1, it has been reported.
Boris Johnson is expected to set out the government’s plan for gradually lifting the restrictions by the end of next week, which is set to include a ‘phased’ reopening of schools.
Earlier this week, officials announced the UK is now past the peak of infections.
However, ministers have hinted nationwide lockdown measures could continue into June to prevent a second wave of infection from happening.
But as part of the plans to start easing the restrictions, some children may be allowed back to school sooner than others.
Primary school pupils are set to be the first to return as it is thought that young children suffer less severe complications from Covid-19, while secondary school pupils will return at a later date.
The PM told The Sun on Sunday he wants primary schools opened ‘as fast as we can,’ adding: ‘That’s where we want to go. It’s about working out a way to do it.’
The government said getting youngsters back into class was a top priority in the timetable to ‘unlock’ the UK.
Meanwhile, reports suggest primaries across the nation could be given notice as soon as this week, if infection rates continue to drop, with Whitehall sources telling The Telegraph the PM was hoping to give teachers three weeks’ notice to reopen sites to pupils on June 1.
Currently, a number of schools are open to support families of key workers. But many children are now being homeschooled.