Coronavirus: Schools getting ready to close

Schools throughout Oldham are closing today (Friday) to the vast majority of pupils, possibly until the beginning of the new term in September.

A small proportion of children will still be able to attend school, but Government advice is that all children should stay at home, if at all possible, from Monday.

Schools have been asked to provide care for some children - those who are vulnerable, and those whose parents are key workers "critical to the Covid-19 response", who cannot be safely cared for at home.

Many schools have already been in touch with parents, but if you think your children qualify you can also contact Oldham Council.

Vulnerable children include those with a social worker or special educational needs.

A child's parent is a key worker if their job is considered critical to keeping the country running and/or fighting the spread of the virus.

The government has published a list of key worker jobs. They include:

Health and social care: Doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, frontline health staff (including volunteers), and those producing and distributing medicines, supplies and protective equipment

Education and childcare: Teaching staff, nursery workers, social workers and those in special education

Key public services: Those in the justice system, religious staff, charities, workers delivering frontline services, those responsible for the deceased, journalists in public service broadcasting

Local and national government: Those essential to the effective delivery of the response to the pandemic, and benefits services

Public safety and national security: Police and support staff, MoD civilians, contractors and armed forces personnel critical to the virus response

Transport: Those in air, water, road, rail passenger and freight services and anyone in transport systems through which supply chains pass

Food and other necessary goods: Those in production, distribution, sale and delivery of food and other necessary goods

Utilities, communications and financial: Staff in banks, building societies and financial markets, as well as those in gas, oil and electricity sectors, those in network operations and call centres, 999 and 111 staff, postal services, delivery and waste disposal sector

A child only needs one parent to be a key worker to be eligible to attend school.

Meanwhile, as of yesterday (Thursday) evening, there were 114 confirmed Coronavirus cases in Greater Manchester, with 14 of those in Oldham.

At least six people in Greater Manchester have died after contracting COVID-19.

The Manchester Muslim Community has urged worshippers to pray at home as Friday prayers take place.

"The Muslim community is closely knit and social contact is embedded into our DNA, our customs and culture," said Fesl Khan.

"Therefore social distancing is particularly challenging for us.

"However, our morality is guided by love, love for God and all his creatures.

"To this end protecting the vulnerable, both within and without, is a primary concern of our faith.

"We are ready to play our part in the national effort against this virus.”

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