CONCERN has been raised schools will be forced to close as it was confirmed students and staff must do Covid tests before returning to classrooms this term.

Wearing of masks in classrooms has also been introduced in order the help prevent the spread of the new Omicron variant.

Closures of classes and whole schools is a likely picture according to the secretary for the Cumbria branch of the National Education Union, Chris Brooksbank.

He said: “I don’t think the measures are about stopping this wave of infections, more flattening the curve, spreading it so that hospitals aren’t overrun.

“There was a 10-fold increase in Covid cases in hospital last week.

“All staff should also be lateral flow testing before returning.

“This could have a big impact as it will identify many cases and the consequent quarantine period will cause staffing issues.

“Schools will not be able to just continue.

“Closures of classes, year groups or entire schools are very likely.

“It is good news that deaths aren’t increasing so far, but we need a couple more weeks to be sure about that. We do seem to be starting to learn to live with the pandemic.”

Toughened coronavirus measures in schools will not be in place “for a day longer than we need it”, the Education Secretary has promised, as staff shortages were feared across the sector.

Nadhim Zahawi has told headteachers to consider merging classes or sending groups of children home if the number of staff off work due to Covid reaches critical levels.

But he said it was key to keep children in the classroom as much as possible and to keep schools open due to the mental health impacts.

“The priority is to keep schools open,” he told Sky News, following the announcement that masks would be recommended in the classroom for secondary school pupils, as well as twice-weekly testing.

Mr Zahawi said: “The testing, the staffing support we’re putting in place, and of course the ventilation is going to make a big difference to schools this year.

“The most important thing is to keep them open.”