London borough closes ALL schools as Tier 3 looms next week: Labour leader of Greenwich stops lessons early before Christmas break over rising Covid cases - despite government threat to SUE to keep classes running
All schools in Greenwich are set to close from tomorrow as lessons move online amid a spike in Covid-19 cases - despite a Government warning to keep classes running or face legal action.
Danny Thorpe, leader of the Labour-run council, has told all schools in the south-east London borough to close four days before the Christmas break, warning the local Covid-19 situation was 'escalating extremely quickly'.
All schools will close tomorrow evening, with Cllr Thorpe's open letter failing to explain whether the closure would continue when pupils return in the New Year.
No other London borough has followed suit as yet, after it was revealed the Government could force schools to remain open in the run-up to Christmas by applying for a High Court injunction.
The decision in Greenwich comes as:
Greenwich's council leader Danny Thorpe has told all schools in the south-east London borough to close from Monday evening as he warned its Covid-19 situation was 'escalating extremely quickly'
Despite London's growing Covid-19 rate, there are warnings not to put the capital under Tier 3 restrictions, amid fears it could be 'catastrophic' for businesses in the run up to Christmas
Cllr Thorpe's statement this evening read: 'I have today been briefed by colleagues from Public Health England that the pandemic in Greenwich is now showing signs that we are in a period of exponential growth that demands immediate action.
'We now have the highest rates of infection in Greenwich than at any time since March, and for these reasons I have therefore asked all schools in Greenwich to close their premises from Monday evening and move to online learning for the duration of the term, with the exception of key worker children and those with specific needs (exactly the same as in the first lockdown).
'It is absolutely essential that everyone understands this is NOT an opportunity to extend Christmas celebrations in any way, and I’m asking for this to happen to reduce the risk of transmission.'
Cllr Thorpe apologised for the closure, but warned families to get tested for Covid-19 as he warned they face an 'extreme risk,' due to climbing cases.
The move could tempt other boroughs to follow suit, as London's infection rate per 100,000 people in the capital stood at 191.8 on December 6, up from 158.1 the previous week.
It means London is ahead of regions, such as the West Midlands, which are already in Tier 3 restrictions.
On Friday Damian White, Conservative leader of Havering council in East London, urged non-symptomatic secondary school staff, pupils and their families to get tested.
He said: 'We are aware that rates in young people have been increasing particularly quickly.
'I urge those groups who do not have symptoms to step forward and get a test this weekend.'
New powers introduced through the Coronavirus Act allow the Government to issue 'directions' to headteachers around education provision during the pandemic.
The Government has powers to issue a High Court injunction to keep schools open, but Greenwich has gone ahead and closed classrooms for the last four days of term amid 'exponential growth,' in Covid-19 cases. The closure comes as shoppers continued to flock to Oxford Street in London today, with little room for social distancing
London already has a higher case rate than other parts of England living under Tier 3 restrictions. The case rate per 100,000 people in the capital stood at 191.8 on December 6, up from 158.1 the previous week
Should schools fail to comply after being directed to remain open, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson can apply for a High Court injunction forcing them to do so.
It is understood that directions under the act would only be used as a last resort, while a court order would be sought if they were not followed.
The powers came to light after a headteacher in Ware, Hertfordshire, was sent a 'minded to direct' letter from schools minister Nick Gibb warning that the emergency powers could be used.
Presdales School had planned to switch to online learning for the final week of term to ensure staff and pupils did not have to self-isolate on Christmas Day, Schools Week reported.
But it was said to have scrapped the plans after receiving the letter.
Teaching unions have previously called for remote learning in parts of the south east.
The National Association of Head Teachers and Association of School and College Leaders urged the government to consider 'immediately moving secondary schools and colleges to remote learning,' while a mass testing programme is carried out in parts of London, Kent and Essex.
more videos
Bikie shot by a sniper at a racetrack in front of children
Trump disappointed 'no judge has courage' to hear Texas AG's bid
FKA Twigs sues ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf for alleged abuse
Major search takes place in Kent to find missing teenager
Family kicked off flight after two-year-old refuses to wear mask
Disturbing moment lion runs with dead monkey in its mouth
Anglo-saxon cross found in Scotland painstakingly restored
Clashes break out between Proud Boys protesters and Antifa in DC
Raab says the EU fears the UK 'might actually do well' post Brexit
Man performs a backflip at popular lookout spot for Instagram photos
Massive gas explosion destroys house leaving just one corner intact
Mexican archaeologists uncover facade of Aztec skull tower in capital
Greenwich council leader Danny Thorpe published on an open letter this evening warning the south-east London borough's Covid crisis 'demands immediate action'
Tonight's announcement comes after MPs and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan warned Tier 3 restrictions would be 'catastropic' for the capital, causing 'untold damage'.
In a letter seen by The Mail on Sunday, the MPs urge the Prime Minister to spare the capital because shutting it down would hurt not just Londoners, but 'people across the nation' who depend on the 'wealth and prosperity generated by our great city'.
A decision on whether to plunge London into the highest lockdown before Christmas was going to the wire this weekend, with a row brewing with Ministers after police and local councils objected to plans to divide London into different tiers.
With the capital's businesses saying tier 3 would deliver a £3 billion hit to the economy, Ministers including Michael Gove have suggested that only the outer London boroughs with the highest infection rates should go in to the top tier.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan warned Tier 3 restrictions in the run-up to Christmas would be 'catastrophic,' amid claims Health Secretary Matt Hancock could splitting the worst-hit parts of the capital off into Tier 3 but leave the majority in Tier 2
Health Secretary Matt Hancock is also understood to be considering splitting the worst-hit parts of the capital off into tier 3 but leaving the majority of the city in tier 2.
It would mean restaurants and other hospitality businesses in London's West End could stay open, while those in suburban areas would close.
Earlier today, Boris Johnson admitted in a virtual fund-raising event for Conservative party members that people needed to be cautious over the festive period.
In messages revealed today, he said: 'My message to everybody is we do have this period of relaxation of measures at Christmas, but I really urge people to think hard about how you choose to enjoy that relaxation. I really would urge people to err on the side of caution rather than, I'm afraid, have a big blow-out with multiple households.
'I know the rules say three households, but there is ample scope alas for further increases in this disease during tough winter months.'
NHS executive Chris Hopson has urged Mr Johnson to exercise 'extreme caution' before putting any region into a lower tier as any relaxing of rules 'will trigger a third wave'.
There were 144 new Covid-19 deaths recorded today, but there was added hope as an Oxford University professor said the chances of its vaccine being rolled out by the end of the year are 'pretty high'
He instead insisted that areas such as London - which sees 211 cases per 10,000 people each week - should be moved up to Tier Three to get numbers under control. He also said Essex, Kent and Lincolnshire have shown worrying figures.
Mr Hopson - the chief executive of NHS Providers which represents trusts across the country - said the current rise in cases is 'worrying', especially as it came towards the end of the England's second nation-wide lockdown.
Mr Johnson's warning came despite the welcome news that the chances of Oxford University's vaccine being being rolled out by the end of this year are 'pretty high'.
The vaccine from Oxford and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is yet to be approved for use in the UK - with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency still reviewing trial data.
The Government has secured 100 million doses of the vaccine, with four million ready for key workers once approval is given.
Oxford University vaccinology professor Sarah Gilbert said the chances of getting the jab - which is 90 per cent effective and costs just £2 per dose - before the end of 2020 'are pretty high'.