YOUR article (Gazette, March 2, “‘Up to 30 youths break into basketball courts’”) clearly illustrates the double standards in our Covid rules when it comes to schools reopening.

No doubt most of those young people will be back at school next week.

They will spend several hours each day in crowded, poorly ventilated classrooms, where social distancing is virtually impossible. They may or may not wear face coverings as the Government guidance says these are not mandatory.

And their teachers and support staff will be there with them.

What is the difference between them meeting outside on a basketball court and spending all day together in school or mixing on school buses?

There is none.

The National Education Union, along with other education unions, wants schools to be open to more students just as much as anyone else.

We are also well aware of the impact of lockdown on many children and families.

However, our immediate priority is to ensure schools don’t become “vectors of transmission” again.

READ MORE:

The union wants schools to adopt a phased return and flexible rota systems where possible to allow greater social distancing and minimise mixing.

Remote learning should continue to be provided for those students who are not in school.

This would allow more time for teachers and support staff in the Government’s priority groups to receive their first vaccination.

I am sure many of our schools will be taking additional precautions to reduce the risks, but with the infection rate in many parts of Colchester rising again, opening all our schools for all children at the same time does not strike me as a cautious measure.

The Government is constantly urging us not to let our guard down and not to ‘blow it’ but I worry that by opening all our schools to all our children from next Monday we could be doing just that.

David Evans

District Secretary, North East Essex NEU

Lilian Impey Drive, Highwoods