A COUNCIL leader has said he does not believe Colchester schools should reopen tomorrow.

Secondary schools, and colleges in Clacton, Colchester, and Harwich will not open until January 18, with remote learning being rolled-out instead.

But primary schools are expected to open today as planned.

Schools in mid and south Essex are remaining closed due to high infection numbers.

On Sunday Boris Johnson said parents should send primary-age children back to schools that are open this week.

The Prime Minister said he has “no doubt” that classrooms are safe and that the risk to young people was “very, very small” amid calls from teaching unions to close all schools for the next two weeks.

Appearing on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday morning, the Prime Minister said: “Schools are safe. It is very, very important to stress that.

“I would advise all parents thinking about want to do, look at where your area is, overwhelmingly you’ll be in a part of the country where primary schools tomorrow will be open.”

But Colchester Council leader Mark Cory, who is a teacher, said all schools in Essex should follow the same guidance.

He said: "We should not be left outside of this plan as the new variant has spread to Colchester too.

"As a result, I have made it very clear to Essex County Council, that Colchester schools should not open.

"I would support ECC to treat all of Essex in the same way, and to make sure schools are safe and the variant is under control before returning."