Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Safely Opening Schools After Christmas Holidays

Monday 6 December 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kate Griffiths asked about steps to support schools opening safely after the Christmas 2021 holidays.
  • The Secretary of State committed to doing everything possible to keep schools open and reduce transmission.
  • Over 99% of eligible settings have received CO2 monitors, with more than 320,000 now delivered.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Griffiths
NHS Education
Context

The question arises from the need to ensure school safety during the return after Christmas 2021 holidays amidst a continued covid-19 outbreak.

Question

What steps his Department plans to take to support schools to open safely after the Christmas 2021 holidays during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Nadhim Zahawi

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important issue. Reducing transmission in schools is of the utmost importance to me, and I will do everything in my power to keep schools open. We have provided guidance to settings regarding testing arrangements on their return in January.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps or detailed plans beyond general statements about reducing transmission and providing testing guidance.

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Q2 Kate Griffiths
NHS Education
Context

Carbon dioxide monitoring is seen as a crucial tool for identifying areas within classrooms where ventilation needs improvement, helping to mitigate the spread of respiratory diseases like covid-19.

Question

As the Secretary of State knows, carbon dioxide monitors can help to identify quickly where ventilation needs to be increased in classrooms. Will he give an update on the roll-out of these monitors in schools?

Answer from Nadhim Zahawi

Over 99% of eligible settings have now received a CO2 monitor, with more than 320,000 now delivered. Final deliveries will be made before the end of term. Feedback from schools suggests the monitors are a helpful tool in managing ventilation, sitting alongside the other protective measures in place to manage transmission.

Answered
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