A NUMBER of hub schools will remain open across South Lakeland throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Cumbria County Council has coordinated with schools to ensure some stay open to allow parents to access childcare if they work in certain sectors and have no alternative.

Places will be limited and will only be available for Tier 1 children of key workers.

Sedburgh Primary School, St Mary's and Queen Elizabeth in Kirkby Lonsdale, Ghyllside Primary School in Kendal, and Milnthorpe Primary School will remain open for children of key workers.

Lindale Primary School, Pennington, Dowdales in Dalton and Penny Bridge Primary Academy will also act as hub schools.

In Ulverston Sir John Barrow, Chapel Street Infants and Croftlands Junior School will act as hub schools. Askam Village School will also be open.

Eligible parents will be contacted today to be told which school their child should attend.

The government announced that schools should close for most pupils until further notice from Friday, March 20 as part of their measures to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Most parents and carers should have already been contacted by their child's school or early years setting to notify them which hub their child can attend.

Key workers who still require childcare must make a request for this support by completing a form on Cumbria County Council’s website.

The council is asking all parents and carers to check government guidelines on who is an essential key worker before submitting an application.

When accessing childcare hubs parents and carers should be mindful of the following guidelines:

Please do not to enter if you or family members living with you are displaying any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19);

Please do not form any gatherings within the grounds or at the gates;

Please observe social distancing children arrive at the education or childcare setting and reduce any unnecessary travel on coaches, buses or public transport;

Please use the hand sanitizer before entering or on exit;

Please wash your child's clothing.

Council bosses also reminded parents and carers who are key workers that, if it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.

If possible parents should ask people who are in the strict social distancing category to care for their children which includes people over 70 and those with underlying health conditions.