- Title: UK wants schools reopen at "very earliest moment" - education minister
- Date: 25th January 2021
- Summary: BROMLEY, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - SEPTEMBER 3, 2020) (REUTERS) CHILDREN IN THE CLASSROOM TEACHER EXPLAINING ABOUT WASHING HANDS VARIOUS OF CHILDREN IN THE CLASSROOM
- Embargoed: 8th February 2021 15:00
- Keywords: COVID-19 Coronavirus Gavin Williamson children closed education secretary lockdown open pandemic pupils restrictions schools students teachers term
- Location: LONDON AND BROMLEY, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON AND BROMLEY, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Europe,Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA003DWPD0EF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Britain's education minister, Gavin Williamson, told reporters on Monday (January 25) that the government wanted all children back at school "at the very earliest moment."
With many lawmakers airing concerns for children's education while schools remain closed, Williamson and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have been under pressure to to provide a timetable for reopening.
Pupils have experienced severe disruption to their schooling since the first coronavirus lockdown was imposed by the UK government in March 2020.
Johnson has said that while schools would reopen as soon as possible, the government was reluctant to commit to a date while the COVID-19 infection rate remains high.
The UK death toll from the disease is approaching 100,000, with 97,939 deaths up until Sunday (January 24).
The figure represents the world's fifth worst official death toll - more than its civilian toll in World War Two and twice the number killed in the 1940-41 Blitz bombing campaign, although the total population was lower then.
When the novel coronavirus, which first emerged in China in 2019, slid silently across the United Kingdom in March, Johnson initially said he was confident it could be sent packing in weeks.
(Production: Ben Dangerfield) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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