SCHOOLS should not re-open on June 1 as the government has suggested because there is ‘no clear evidence’ that it is safe to do so according to a group of independent experts. 

The Independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE),  a group of preeminent experts from the UK and around the world, has released a ‘draft consultation report’ which says that schools should not re-open until local ‘test, track, and isolate’ systems are in place.

Lack of evidence

The report says that ‘There is no clear evidence that these conditions are met. Until they are it is not safe to open schools on June 1’. 

Modelling undertaken for the report shows delaying school re-opening by two week approximately halves the risk to children, and that delaying the re-opening until September is less risky still – reducing the risk to children to below road traffic accident level. 

The report notes that further modelling is needed to show regional risks and that it intends to do so before issuing its final recommendations to the government next week.

Harm to children

It also highlights the harm to children from schools remaining closed and the disproportionate impact on certain groups, including economically disadvantaged children and those from black and minority ethnic communities.

It is clear from the evidence we have collected that June 1st is simply too early to go back. By going ahead with this dangerous decision, the government is further risking the health of our communities and the likelihood of a second spike. 

Sir David King, Chair of Independent Sage 

Also, according to Independent SAGE , the lack of publicly available local data is ‘a critical gap in the current management of the pandemic’, and that without it local communities cannot be sure about the level of local infections and whether the numbers of new infections is decreasing.

The group noted that school opening in other countries, such as Denmark, ‘has been preceded by substantial investment in measures such as additional washing facilities to promote safety.’

Risk to health

Sir David King, Chair of Independent Sage said: “It is clear from the evidence we have collected that June 1st is simply too early to go back. By going ahead with this dangerous decision, the government is further risking the health of our communities and the likelihood of a second spike. 

“However we also recognise that the decision of when to re-open our schools is a careful balance and that it is vital for our young people to get back into the classroom as soon as it is safe to do so.”

He added: “The current climate is likely to disproportionately affect the most disadvantaged in society; therefore it is vital that the government also considers innovative ways to help those who need it most.”