Commenting on the announcement by the Prime Minister that ‘Plan B’ measures are to be introduced in England in response to the Omicron variant, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said:

“Given the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement that the Omicron variant may be significantly more transmissible, it would be appropriate to extend further control measures in schools and colleges.

“Further measures including extending the use of face coverings in classrooms, an immediate and extended programme of onsite Covid testing of pupils, and robust rules and support for close contacts to self-isolate would have a significant impact on helping to break the chain of Covid transmission and minimise further disruption to pupils’ education.”