PLANS to ensure the children of key workers get to school are being formed, the leader of Solihull Council has said.
Coun Ian Courts said the borough is quickly putting together ways to make sure children who need to stay in school can be educated.
Today (March 20) is set to be the last day of school for this academic year, as the government closes schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, Coun Courts said: “As a sign of the increasing seriousness of the situation, the Government announced yesterday that all schools should close from Monday 23 March; there was an acknowledgment that this could adversely affect workers in the NHS and other key areas.
“The Government has tasked the council with finding a way to provide schooling for the children of our key workers, to allow their parents and carers to continue the fight against Covid-19.
“We are currently working through the guidance and will have a plan in place as soon as we can.
“These latest announcements are examples of what we are now having to deal with on a day to day basis and I expect this to continue.
“Please do understand that officers at the council are doing their utmost, in trying circumstances: some are having to work from home, because they are at risk and regrettably some are reporting Covid-19 symptoms and therefore have to self-isolate. It is important to remember that 80 per cent of people who get Covid-19 will only have mild symptoms.”
As he warned against boredom being a reason to break isolation, Coun Courts said the council’s website would have a guide to staying safe.
“Through Solihull CAVA, we will shortly be issuing a guide called “Together we can help to keep safe, keep calm and keep well.
“It suggests ways that people can help to support themselves, their loved ones and their communities. This will be available on our website.
“We are encouraging people to start a group conversation, using technology and/or a ‘buddy’ system as appropriate, with relatives, friends and neighbours, to discuss what to do with a COVID-19 outbreak in their community; we want to remind people to look at ways to provide practical care for those who might be at greater risk; also to set up a complete emergency contact list.”
“One final point, I am afraid there are people out there who already see Covid-19 as an opportunity to prey on the vulnerable. We all now need to take extra care with cyber-security; double check that any unannounced visitors are really who they say they are: if they are legitimate, they will be happy to let you verify their credentials with their organisation.
“Continue to look to trusted websites such as GOV.UK, the NHS, PHE or the Council.”
