Dorset councillor reassures parents over sending their children to school
Schools are remaining open during lockdown.
A Dorset councillor has been responding to parents fears about sending their children into school during lockdown.
Andrew Parry says it's important children get a good education, but the best way for this to happen is by making sure everyone follows the rules in class.
It comes as year 7 pupils and above are told they will now have to wear face coverings while moving around schools.
Councillor Andrew Parry says it remains safe for children to go to school as they very rarely become seriously ill from COVID-19.
He told Greatest Hits Radio:
"The increase in cases was predicted to return in the autumn and winter months and when you look at the behaviours of coronaviruses, they tend to behave in that way during the winter period.
"What we have seen is that the risks of a child becoming very ill as a result of coronavirus are very low and certainly all the evidence points that way, and of course our schools are operating in accordance with the guidelines to ensure that any risks are mitigated.
"Please take the opportunity to seek advice from your GP and medical practices and also do discuss them with the schools directly themselves because it really does matter that your child gets a every opportunity to have a good education and that education should be delivered ideally in a classroom setting."
He added that getting children in to school is vital for their development:
"One of the joys of the September term was seen our children back in school environments and the positivity they got from that, that ability to have some interaction with friends and teachers and feel like there was momentum behind their education again.
"I really hope that that is clearly understood because in order for it to work then we have got to adhere to the rules on the guidance, we have got to work with our schools leadership teams because we all want to beat coronavirus we all want our children to get a good education."