Coronavirus cases are currently surging across the country which has led to calls for a national ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown. Despite the demands, which have been led by the Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister has refused and said the country will be focusing on a more localised approach. But, the National Education Union has commented, suggesting a ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown during the half term.
Following the suggestion, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Should schools be closed to halt spread of virus as cases surge?”
In response, 45 percent (1,639) of those who took part said ‘Yes’.
But, the majority, 54 percent or 1,816 voters, opted for ‘no’.
Just one percent (35) picked ‘don’t know’.
The total number of votes cast was 3,490 with the poll taking place between 6.30pm on Saturday 17 October and closing at 11am on Sunday 18 October.
Commenting on the poll, one reader said: “Children need to be in school, they need stability and normality.”
Another added: “The world has gone mad. Covid has killed 1.1 million people out of a world population of seven billion people in 11 months, 0.0157 percent deaths to population.
“This virus is a low mortality virus.”
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The poll came after demands from the National Education Union, NEU, for a two-week circuit breaker lockdown over half-term.
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “Heads, teachers and school staff understand the educational impact of this, but we also understand that in exponential epidemics early action is essential.
“Taking action now can avoid more disruption later.”
Mr Courtney added: “This should be no surprise to either the prime minister or the Department for Education – scientists have consistently told them that secondary students transmit the virus as much as adults.
“We have warned them that because we have amongst the biggest class sizes in Europe we have overcrowded classrooms and corridors without effective social distancing.
“Our classrooms often have poor ventilation leading to airborne transmissions, and in many areas, we have also had overcrowded school transport where children are mixing across year group bubbles.
“These children live in families and are part of communities, so even if they have few or no symptoms themselves they are still party of spreading the virus to others, including to teachers and other school staff.”
