School re-openings pushed back until 8 March at the earliest

Schools in England will not re-open after the February half-term holidays, with pupils and students likely to return to the classroom on Monday 8 March at the earliest, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed.

Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon (Wednesday 27 January), the Prime Minister acknowledged he was “acutely conscious” that news of a longer delay would be “frustrating” for carers and parents who are having to juggle home schooling and working from home.

The arrangements for key workers’ children and vulnerable children remain unaffected and they can attend school as normal in the meantime.

The Prime Minister also announced that travellers to the UK from 22 “red list” countries will go into hotel quarantine to help minimise the risk of transmission from the new variants of the virus.

Meanwhile, in order to enforce self-isolation and the new border rules, there will be an increase in the number of police checks, according to the Home Secretary Priti Patel.

For further information on the revised timetable for school re-openings and the new restrictions on international travel, visit the Government website (external link).