UK government under pressure to prioritize schools reopening

By Viviana Garcia

London, Aug 5 (efe-epa).- The British government came under pressure on Wednesday to prioritize reopening schools over pubs and shops if the country imposes future pandemic restrictions.

Some areas of England, including Manchester and Leicester, have recently been put under localized lockdowns after a spike in infection rates.

Scottish authorities ordered the closure of restaurants and pubs in Aberdeen on Wednesday after a surge in new cases.

The arrival of travelers from countries where there have been fresh outbreaks has caused concern the UK could see a fresh wave of contagion in the coming months.

More than 46,300 people have died from coronavirus in the country and there have been more than 307,100 confirmed cases, according to health officials.

During the past 24 hours, 65 deaths and 892 infections have been reported.

Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England, said schools “should be first to open and last to close”.

The new academic year will start in the UK in September, with the exception of Scotland which will resume in mid-August.

Longfield said in a briefing published Wednesday that school closures should be a “last resort” after pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops have been shut.