The Government is facing huge pressure to delay the reopening of primary schools for at least a fortnight.
Pupils are due to return on Monday after the festive break, and already the National Education Union is telling staff to stay home as it is their legal right as their workplace is not safe due to Covid.
The Government's handling of the situation has prompted the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) union, along with the Association of School and College Leaders, to make preliminary steps in legal proceedings.
And now UNISON has said the reopening of all schools in England should be delayed by two weeks to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.
UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “The Government must act decisively now by delaying the start of term for all schools by two weeks because of spiralling infection rates. Education should move online except for vulnerable children and those of key workers.
“UNISON has been calling for this ‘circuit-break’ since well before Christmas. Ministers have had weeks to get this right instead of leaving parents, staff and whole communities confused.
“The union is clear that members who work in schools have a right to a safe working environment. They shouldn‘t have to work where they face serious and imminent danger.
“Ministers must also ensure any extension of the vaccine priority list covers all school staff and not just teachers.”
