Coronavirus: Boris Johnson shuts down schools

Britain will close schools for an indefinite period to dampen the ‘faster than expected’ trajectory of the coronavirus infections.

British PM Boris Johnson in London on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

Britain will close schools for an indefinite period to dampen the “faster than expected” trajectory of the coronavirus infections, after 2626 people were confirmed as having the disease, and deaths leapt above 100.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned he would also take “further and faster measures’’ in the coming days to help the National Health Service cope with the seriously ill. He also made a pitch for retired health workers to return to work.

The jump in cases has put pressure on the intensive care units of the NHS. As the UK is only testing those in hospitals the true infection rate, considering those at home in self-isolation, is believed to be much higher.

Schools in England will close on Friday, following closures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Thursday; however, some will remain open for children of NHS and emergency workers, and children classified as “’vulnerable’’.

Mr Johnson said exams hade been cancelled, but promised pupils would not be disadvantaged in their university placements.

In Scotland, schools have been told they can shut until September, after the northern hemisphere summer break, but Mr Johnson was unable to say when the schools would reopen.

“I am a believer in freedom, but be in no doubt, these are very, very important choices you are making in your daily lives,” he said.

“The more ruthlessly we force upon ourselves and family the advice to avoid gatherings and stay at home when you get symptoms, the better to protect the NHS, the fewer deaths we have and less suffering … and the faster we will get through this and the better we can bounce back. This is strong, strong advice, and I do not rule out taking further and faster measures.’’

He added the scientific advice was that schools remained a safe setting, but the closures were “to help us slow the spread of this virus during this challenging time”.

Tests are being ramped up to 25,000 a day, with frontline workers to be tested, and a home testing kit is being developed.

London, which has the highest number of infections and deaths, could be put into lockdown by the weekend.

Mr Johnson was to chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Thursday night to decide on the plans as concern grows that some Londoners are ignoring experts’ advice.

The coronavirus is spreading faster in the capital than any other part of the country. According to Public Health England, 953 cases have been recorded in London, accounting for more than a third of cases in Britain.

The Cabinet Office has asked government departments to draw up plans that would force cafes, pubs and restaurants to close and reduce Underground, rail and bus services. Such measures would ensure “compliance” under a “shielding plan for London”.

Mr Johnson said people needed to be “ruthless” in following the government’s advice.

Last week travel by the London Underground had declined by only 19 per cent and bus travel by 10 per cent against the same period last year. The number of people using public transport has fallen significantly since then, however, and Tube travel is understood to have dropped by 50 per cent.

The government has told people not to go to restaurants, pubs and cafes but had stopped short of ordering the businesses to close. That approach is likely to change, and ministers have also drawn up plans to reduce travel significantly.

“This is not about arresting people on the street,” a government source said. “This is about some simple measures to ensure that the current public health guidance is followed.”

Additional reporting: The Times