Schools in the UK are set to close “when the time is right”, the government’s chief scientific adviser said today.
Speaking at the first of a series of daily news conferences outlining the next steps in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, Professor Patrick Vallance said: “Measures may be necessary including to think about school closures, but things need to be done at the right time, in the right way and at the right stage of the outbreak.”
When questioned why the UK had not already gone further with measures such as school closures as in other countries, prime minister Boris Johnson said: “There is an argument about school closures. We think on balance it is better that we can keep schools open for all sorts of reasons but this is something we need to keep under review.”
Despite schools remaining open, all people are being told they should avoid pubs, clubs and theatres, stop all non-essential contact and travel, and work from home if they can, the prime minister said.
He set out the need for “drastic action” to tackle the “fast growth” of coronavirus across the UK as increased social distancing measures are introduced for the population.
As part of the measures, anyone living in a household with somebody who has either a persistent cough or fever must now also isolate themselves for 14 days.
Mr Johnson added: “This is a very substantial change in the way people are being asked to live their lives. I can’t think of anything like it in my lifetime.”
WATCH: Boris Johnson on the latest Coronavirus plans
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