Thursday morning news briefing: How schools will reopen

Thursday morning news briefing: How schools will reopen

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Exclusive: Parents to do twice-weekly Covid tests

Lunchbox… pencil case… negative lateral flow test? Parents will be asked to test their children for coronavirus twice a week under plans for a phased return to the classroom. The Telegraph can disclose that families of secondary school pupils will be asked to administer tests at home in term time under proposals drawn up by the Government. It is understood schools will only oversee mass testing of secondary students once, when pupils return, after unions struck a deal. All schools in England are expected to reopen on March 8, but secondaries will be allowed to stagger the return of some year groups so every pupil can be tested on arrival. What is the truth about lateral flow devices? Read how reliable and accurate they are. It is also reported that masks will be made compulsory for secondary pupils in England outside classroom bubbles.

It came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced pressure from ministers to relax social distancing restrictions in shops and pubs as vaccines were rolled out. Whitehall sources said