An education union has said schools and colleges should be included in any national lockdown imposed as they're a "major contributor" to the spread of coronavirus.
Amid reports of a national four-week lockdown in England, the National Education Union (NEU) is calling for schools and colleges to be included in any such measures.
The Prime Minister is expected to hold a briefing at Downing Street at 5pm today, alongside chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.
It came as several newspapers reported that a nationwide lockdown could be imposed within days and last until the beginning of December.
Everything except essential shops and education settings could be closed under the new measures, the paper said, but no final decisions are believed to have been made.
However, the NEU said the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows virus levels are now nine times higher amongst primary pupils and 50 times higher amongst secondary pupils.
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union said schools should also close in the event of a national lockdown although should remain open to the children of key workers and vulnerable children.
He said: "It is clear from ONS data that schools are an engine for virus transmission. It would be self-defeating for the Government to impose a national lockdown, whilst ignoring the role of schools as a major contributor to the spread of the virus.
"Such a lockdown would impose pain on the whole community - but not be as effective as it could be if schools were included.
"Ignoring the role of schools and colleges in the spread of the virus is likely to lead to the need for even longer lockdowns in future.
"The latest figures from the ONS estimate that 1 per cent of primary pupils and 2 per cent of secondary pupils have the virus and that these levels have increased dramatically since wider opening in September.
"NEU analysis of ONS figures shows that virus levels are now nine times higher amongst primary pupils and an astonishing 50 times higher amongst secondary pupils."
The Union said "more severe measures" are needed after calls for a two-week circuit break over half term to include schools were "ignored".
Kevin Courtney continued: "The National Education Union called for a two-week circuit break over half term to include schools, which the Wales Government and the Northern Ireland assembly have done - but the Government in Westminster has ignored this call.
"More severe measures are now called for as a result, the Government should not make this mistake again.
"The Government should include all schools in proposals for an immediate national lockdown and as a minimum be preparing for school rotas at the end of that period, including by actually meeting its promise to deliver broadband and equipment to those children who do not have them.
"It is also vital that the Government ensure proper financial support for all those affected by lockdown including crucial supply teachers and other staff."
Since schools reopened their doors in September, ChronicleLive has reported on hundreds of children being sent home, or full class bubbles being shut as more and more children test positive for the virus.
