Schools will remain open despite the threat of Omicron and will only close if there is an 'absolute public health emergency', Downing Street has said
Asked whether schools might shut early for Christmas, the spokesman said:"Certainly we do not think anyone should be closing schools early unless they have received advice from the local director of public health that it's necessary on public health grounds.
The NASUWT union representing teachers has called for a staggered return of pupils to schools and colleges in January, as well as additional on-site testing facilities up until the February half-term. In a letter to Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi about the Omicron variant, Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, said:"I must urge you now to consider the immediate introduction of additional education measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and to minimise further disruption to education."
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