Boris Johnson ‘vows to keep schools OPEN in January’ despite spread of Omicron Covid variant
BORIS Johnson has vowed to keep schools open in January despite the spread of the Omicron Covid variant, it has been revealed.
The PM reportedly told Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi that he is "absolutely determined" to send kids back to school in the New Year.
It comes as a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
Mr Zahawai and the PM are understood to be discussing the issue surrounding schools almost daily, The Sunday Times reports.
The two reportedly believe that education is the Government's "number one priority" and that schools closing is "not something being considered."
A source close to the Education Secretary told The Sunday Times: "There is a shared commitment across government to make sure they stay open."
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Earlier this month, an Ofsted report found that nearly all children fell behind at school because of the devastating lockdowns.
Millions of kids became “lonely and miserable” and some even lost the ability to hold a knife and fork as well as the function to play with friends, the landmark study found.
Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman said a fresh school shutdown would be crippling for kids.
Ms Spielman warned the Covid generation must not be denied a chance to enjoy their childhood ever again. She said: “This was a difficult year to be young, and a challenging time to be learning. Most children have learned less than they normally would have done.
“Loneliness, boredom and misery became endemic among the young.”
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson may decide on new Covid rules after he is presented with the latest figures on Monday.
The Prime Minister will be watching hospital admission rates in the capital before considering any further restrictions.
On December 22, 386 patients were admitted for the virus - the highest number in a single day since February.
Covid admissions peaked in January when 977 Brits were admitted in London.
According to , England recorded 1,246 admissions on December 22 - up 55 per cent from the week before.
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This was also the highest number in 24 hours since February 16.
But as cases rise, health experts and ministers are now demanding that the Government distinguishes between people who are being admitted to hospital "with" or "for" Covid.