Boris Johnson has hinted that the two-metre social distancing rule could be reduced in schools, saying: Watch this space.
As Northern Ireland announced plans to reduce social distancing to one metre in schools, the prime minister gave a strong indication that England could follow suit in easing the strict rules.
The government has been under pressure from business groups and Tory MPs to scrap the two metre rule amid fears that sectors such as hospitality will be decimated by the rules.
Teaching unions also warn that schools will be unable to reopen fully under the current social distancing guidance due to shortages of classroom space and staff.
Speaking during a school visit in Hertfordshire on Friday, Mr Johnson said: Of course, on the social distancing measures, as I’ve said, watch this space.
We will be putting in further changes as the science allows. I think that’s what the public also wants to see, they want to see us working with the reality.
The prime minister said it was absolutely his intention that children of all ages should be able to return to school by the autumn on a five-day-a-week basis.
He said: Let me be very clear- I want a world in which, as far as possible, provided we can make classrooms safe and I think we can, I want every child, every pupil, every student, back in September. I’m sure we can get it done.