Boris Johnson praised parents and teachers as he welcomed the return of children to the classroom in England in the first phase in his roadmap out of lockdown.
The Prime Minister told a Downing Street press conference that the return to schools marked a "big day and an emotional day" for millions of families across England.
Many secondary schools will have a phased return during the week, allowing pupils to take Covid tests and face masks will be worn in classrooms. Two people from separate households will be able to meet outside for a picnic and care home visits will also resume as the Government’s stay at home order is relaxed slightly.
Meanwhile, NHS chiefs have warned that they will have to start cutting patient care unless chancellor Rishi Sunak finds £8 billion this week for extra Covid-19 costs, the Times reports. Hospitals have accused Mr Sunak of “robbing NHS budgets” by refusing to meet the full cost of treating 8,021 coronavirus patients in hospitals at present following ministers 1 per cent pay rise offer to frontline staff.
