Day to day school life will return to normal ahead of the new term in September as it is confirmed bubbles are to be scrapped, as will staggered start times and mask wearing.
Children have been bubbled up into classes or year groups for several months, restricting mixing between pupils. Schoolchildren have had to start and end the school day at separate times, take separate lunch breaks and abide by the other strict rules.
Now, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed that the restrictions will be lifted on 19th July, meaning the 2021/22 academic year will start as normal. Schools and other educational establishments are being given the option to carry on with the current arrangements until the end of the summer term, likely to be a few days after 19th July.
The bubbles system has been blamed for mass absences with over 640,000 children at home last week alone, with only 28,000 actually testing positive for COVID-19. That means 95% of children out of school last week did not have the virus.
Children will only have to self-isolate if they catch COVID themselves, or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace. By September, the requirement for Under 18s to self-isolate if they are in contact with a positive case will be removed completely.
As well as the removal of bubbles, pupils can look forward to returning to school in September without having to wear a mask or socially distance from friends.
Earlier today it was announced that under 18s – and those double vaccinated – will no longer have to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive.
One minute they’re telling us that kids are super spreaders, so what is the reasoning here?
It really is to long winded to explain,most people have been vaccinated, kids are resilient,life goes on, business as usual bla bla bla (we have got to bite the bullet)….x