What does total lockdown mean? Schools off?

[SeldomFollowedIt]

Do we think the schools are going to be off? I know we haven’t got long to wait until the announcement but is that what this national lockdown means? Boz seemed hell bent on keeping them open. Thanks.

I'm still unsure. I would have thought so but Boris was on telly earlier saying he regrets shutting them in Lockdown #1 and wants them open?

Primary and Secondary closed until Feb half term according to leaks to the FT.

According to the Telegraph, "There will be further school closures, possibly up to February half-term. It remains unclear whether it will be just secondary or also includes primary. Year 11 and 13 classes switched to remote learning for that period."

But Peston said Tier 4 restrictions everywhere, schools closed, no more team games in parks.

So right now it's anyone's guess, I think, apart from for Secondary.

Although the FT appears to be running "All English schools will close until February half term" without any caveats, I wouldn't be surprised if they've seen the details already.

Will parks etc be closed again? Places of worship? No weddings?

If they do close schools do we think it will be with immediate effect? If I remember rightly last time there was a day or 2 notice. Could do with some notice to sort childcare.

I think schools are the only things left that can close.

Ok thanks all, guess we can just wait. I feel so anxious 😟.

@Waxonwaxoff0

If they do close schools do we think it will be with immediate effect? If I remember rightly last time there was a day or 2 notice. Could do with some notice to sort childcare.

A day or two notice = two days of hundred fo thousands of children mixing at schools all over the country and spreading the virus potentially though So I think not

Cleverpolly3 they did it that way in March. Announcement on the Thursday I think? Telling schools to finish on Friday afternoon.

They did do that way in March, announced on Wednesday that they would close end of day Friday. But the difference was children were already mixing in school.
Seems ridiculous to send them back for part of the week when they have been apart from classmates for 2 weeks.

Parliament has been recalled for Wednesday, to sign it off... but most places seem to be saying that they'll do it retrospectively, which suggests it may have come in beforehand. Although they could just mean that he's announced it beforehand.

Will parks etc be closed again? Places of worship? No weddings?

According to FT leak, parks won't be closed - an hour of outdoor exercise to be allowed, although no mixing with people from other households, so no more "you can meet one other person outdoors".

Places of worship only open for solitary prayer, no groups.

Weddings are already only allowed under extenuating circumstances in tier 4, so I'd imagine that'll stay the same, but it's not explicitly mentioned.

Peston has said schools will shut. He’s usually right.

I don't think he will have a choice. If not I have heard that the NEU are holding another meeting tomorrow evening, so I think further action will take place, if he doesn't close them.

I can't see anything on FT website or twitter re schools...

Schools closing, what does that mean? Because a great many teachers will tell you schools have never been closed, they've always been open.

A lot of schools are already closed (secondaries and primary tier 4) plus a lot had inset today.

Letting kids back into schools tomorrow to mix especially if they weren’t in today just as starting a strict lockdown would be madness.

Please not for another 6 months. 🥲

The head teachers unions had given Boris till 4pm today to show the evidence that schools were safe in their legal action.

According to FT leak, parks won't be closed - an hour of outdoor exercise to be allowed, although no mixing with people from other households, so no more "you can meet one other person outdoors

Hmm meeting one person is allowed in Scotland and their rules are usually stricter than in England. I think they have to allow it this time of year - women cannot exercise alone in the dark (or at least the majority will not want to).

I can't see anything on FT website or twitter re schools...

It's on the front page for me, but it links to here: www.ft.com/content/f1550dbb-e36f-43be-a537-306ccfdaffca

(It's behind a paywall, though - quoted a bit on Twitter if you're on there and don't subscribe)

Peston usually gets stuff in advance.

@poppy1973

I don't think he will have a choice. If not I have heard that the NEU are holding another meeting tomorrow evening, so I think further action will take place, if he doesn't close them.

The NEU meeting is tonight at 6pm but maybe they will delay it until after the announcement?

He certainly seems adamant on primaries staying open. Surely there's nothing left to do in tier 4 without switching to online learning. Unless he's just putting everywhere into tier 4 that isn't already.