As of December the 22nd it has been recorded that the case rate for coronavirus is more than 1,000 per 100,000 people in the borough of Redbridge.
Redbridge has been the second highest rate in London, in place behind the borough of Havering. In stance of local authorities Redbridge’s COVID case rate has been established as the eighth highest but now most recently reinstated as the seventh highest in England itself. With such troubling figures primary schools in the borough have been deemed as being in the 'Covid hotspot'.
In light of recent events; many teachers, parents , caregivers and even children across the borough were subjected to much confusion as to why the borough were not put onto the government’s closure list as announced on Wednesday. On Wednesday, the 30th of December 2020, education secretary Gavin Williamson announced that the government have decided to delay the return of pupils coming back to schools after the end of the Christmas holidays. However, ‘exam students’ students in year 11 and 13 are scheduled to return after on January the 11th while other secondary and college students will go back full time on January the 18th.
Primary schools where the virus rates are the highest may not re-open for face-to-face teaching as planned for the 4th January, follow latest scientific evidence on the new coronavirus variant. The initial list of the affected local authorities left out the borough of Redbridge , despite its exceptionally high case rate. In turn bringing confusion to many. However, MP Wes Streeting and Redbridge council leader Jas Athwal have since rectified the mistake in on ongoing clarification regarding the government’s mistake. It has now been stated that Redbridge Primary schools will not reopen on the scheduled 4th of January, there is yet to be further announcements made regarding this issue following upcoming governmental advice.
