British officials declared Friday that all schools serving younger children will close for about fourteen days because of rising Covid-19 infections and worries over a new strain.
Education authorities had initially opted to reopen most primary schools after Christmas break while postponing class resumption for older kids.
But with COVID-19 rates flooding and expanding worry over a more contagious new strain, critics protested the decision.
Authorities were simply going to close a limited number of elementary schools in certain parts of the nation — including some but not all in London.
That led to objections from some local school and municipal officials, and Friday’s reversal.
“The Government have finally seen sense and u-turned,” London Mayor Sadiq Khan posted in a tweet. “All primary schools across London will be treated the same. This is the right decision – and I want to thank education minister Nick Gibb for our constructive conversations over the past two days.”
The education department’s initial plan baffled some observers, who questioned why schools close to each other were given different orders.
Scientific advisers were among those pushing for the uniform closure to help contain Covid-19.
