England is the first to reopen schools after corona pandemic

CNI Desk: Some parents, especially those shielding, have said they are scared to send their children back ahead of England's first schools reopening.

Leicester and Leicestershire pupils will be among the earliest in the country to return on Wednesday.

The government has said it is unlikely children will pass coronavirus on to others or get seriously ill from it.

 

A number of parents in the city fear they are putting themselves at risk by sending their children back.

Unlike other areas of England, schools in Leicester and Leicestershire traditionally break up for summer holidays a week earlier than other local authorities.

As a result, pupils return to school a week earlier.

Andrea Burford, a 45-year-old mother of two who suffers from asthma and other health conditions, must continue to shield until 7 September because of Leicester's high level of coronavirus infections.

But her daughter is due to start secondary school on Friday.

Mrs Burford said: "How can I send her back while I'm still expected to shield?

 

"I don't believe [children] can't transmit it. I want her back at school but I also want it to be safe."

The government is urging parents to send their children back, and there could be fines for those who do not.

The UK's chief medical adviser Chris Whitty has said "the chances of children dying from Covid-19 are incredibly small" and missing lessons "damages children in the long-run".

He admitted there were "no risk-free" options but said children were "much less likely" to spread the disease.