A school and college have closed to all pupils amid single cases of Omicron.
Students at Rochdale Sixth Form College and nearby Falinge Park High have both followed the advice of public health officials to move to remote learning until the end of term.
Some parents are unhappy that their children are once again missing out on face-to-face learning time when they have already lost so much classroom time throughout the pandemic.
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And they are questioning why they aren't following the updated government guidance that from today, Tuesday, close contacts of Omicron cases should be able to take daily lateral flow tests as an alternative to isolation.
In a letter to parents, Falinge headteacher Janice Allen, said the decision to close came after discussions with the council and public health and was 'made because of a case of the Omicron variant in a member of staff and the role that member of staff does within school'.
"Following discussion with our colleagues in public health and the local authority, the decision has been made for Falinge to deliver online learning for the rest of this week," she said.
"This means that pupils will attend all their lessons online."
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And it's the same situation at Rochdale Sixth Form, from which parents received an email saying that public health had recommended a move to online learning for the rest of this week.
"On Friday a case of the Omicron virus was identified at the college," it said. "The nature of the college building, A-Level timetable and the high population density means that it is impossible to identify who they came into contact with last week.
"Consequently, because of the extremely infectious nature of the new variant, public health had no alternative but to recommend that all learning at the college go online."
The parent of one college student told the Manchester Evening News: "I don't personally understand the need for it to be honest - there was one confirmed case and there has been cases of Covid which haven't resulted in the whole college closing.
"This age group have been affected significantly with the issues with GCSEs and remote learning during the most important years at school.
"To be expected to learn and take in what's been taught at A-Level via remote learning isn't acceptable. I'd understand if there was more cases."
She added: "Due to my son's learning needs when school was shut he was able to go as a vulnerable child, however now at sixth form he's expected to learn remotely which he struggles with and is finding it difficult to work from home. Every time there is a case are they going to shut the college."
College principal Richard Ronksley said he fully understands the frustrations of parents, but he has no other option than to follow the advice the college has been given.
"Nobody wanted to make this decision, I didn't want to make this decision, but there is no alternative when given this recommendation," he said.
"I am beholden to public health and if they want to change their advice then I'd happily open the college."
He stressed that attendance for online lessons is high - 95% on Monday morning - and while nobody wants to be in this situation, the transition to home learning has 'gone really well'.
"Our teachers are really skilled at delivering online lessons and the kids are very resilient, they're used to it now" he said. "Nobody is pretending that online learning is as good, but actually it's a good substitute to get us through to the end of term."
The head said that no parent has been in touch to raise concerns but he'd happily discuss individual needs if anyone is struggling to work from home.
A Falinge Park parent said she too was annoyed by the move to online learning, but at the same time she doesn't want her child getting the virus just before Christmas.
"I was annoyed at first, I thought if the kids and teachers were doing negative lateral flows they were safe to go to school. Having said that I would hate for her to catch Covid right before Christmas.
"I just hope this nonsense doesn’t continue next year. The kids have missed enough school and online learning just isn’t the same as being in the classroom."
Another parent told us she would rather her children be home than at risk of catching Covid and says it's unfair to criticise schools when they are doing their best in very difficult times.
"I'm in a situation where I'm home anyway and I rather my kids be home than get Covid this time of year," she said. "I know a lot of parents aren't happy, but the school can't win whatever they decide to do."
A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council said: "The advice from public health is being followed. The primary concern is the safety of pupils and staff and slowing the spread of the Omicron variant until we know more about its full affect.
"College provides an excellent online teaching resource which students are engaging with, attendance is over 95%. Students are incredibly understanding have been supportive of this action for the last few days of term.
"They’ve coped with remote learning during the pandemic over the last 18 months. Their adaptability and resilience is a credit to them. Parents and carers have also been incredibly understanding and supportive of the difficult situation this variant is presenting and we thank them for that."
The government has said it wants schools to remain open, with Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi saying he will 'do everything in my power' to make sure that's the case.
But fears over the rapid spread of the new variant, he said that January school closures could not be ruled out.
The M.E.N has approached Falinge Park High for a comment.
