Children are reportedly "freezing" in classrooms due to schools leaving windows and doors open for "better ventilation" in the battle against covid.
As covid cases continue to soar right across the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced England will remain with its Plan B measures, which includes the wearing of face coverings in public places and working from home where possible.
But in some schools, children are being told to wear their coats and scarves in lessons as teachers aim to counter coronavirus by increasing ventilation.
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One Liverpool mum, who wished not to be named, said her ten-year-old boy was "dreading" going into school on Thursday as he would be "freezing all day".
She told the ECHO : "I didn't even know the school left their windows open until he told me.
"We haven't been notified, I only know because he was dreading going into school because of it.
"I don't think it's fair, these kids are being forced to be cold in the winter weather just for ventilation. They've already been through so much and now this.
"He said he was dreading going into school because he's going to be freezing all day. He has to sit there with his coat on because all windows and doors are open.
"Apparently other schools are doing it too. We wouldn't sit there cold so how can we expect our children to?"
It comes as the Met Office issued warnings that temperatures are set to plummet this week, with snow and ice expected in some areas.
In guidance to schools, issued by the Government in January, it states: "COVID-19 continues to be a virus that we learn to live with and the imperative to reduce the disruption to children and young people’s education remains.
"Our priority is for you to deliver face-to-face, high-quality education to all pupils. The evidence is clear that being out of education causes significant harm to educational attainment, life chances, mental and physical health.
"We have worked closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to revise this guidance."
In terms of control measures, the guidance says that it "makes sense" to think about taking extra action if the number of positive cases increases.
Schools should ensure good hygiene for everyone, appropriate cleaning regimes, keeping spaces well ventilated and follow public health advice on managing confirmed cases.
When it comes to keeping occupied spaces well ventilated, the document reads: "When your school is in operation, it is important to ensure it is well ventilated and that a comfortable teaching environment is maintained.
"You should identify any poorly ventilated spaces as part of your risk assessment and take steps to improve fresh air flow in these areas, giving particular consideration when holding events where visitors such as parents are on site, for example, school plays.
"Mechanical ventilation is a system that uses a fan to draw fresh air or extract air from a room. These should be adjusted to increase the ventilation rate wherever possible and checked to confirm that normal operation meets current guidance and that only fresh outside air is circulated.
"If possible, systems should be adjusted to full fresh air or, if this is not possible, then systems should be operated as normal as long as they are within a single room and supplemented by an outdoor air supply.
"Where mechanical ventilation systems exist, you should ensure that they are maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations.
"Opening external windows can improve natural ventilation, and in addition, opening internal doors can also assist with creating a throughput of air. If necessary, external opening doors may also be used (if they are not fire doors and where safe to do so).You should balance the need for increased ventilation while maintaining a comfortable temperature."
Amongst other school guidance, it was stated that it is no longer necessary to keep children in consistent groups, known as "bubbles" in schools, meaning assemblies can resume and children can mix at lunch times.
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