'Bubble' regime in UK schools to end on July 19 as Williamson scraps current plan

UK education secretary Gavin Williamson on Tuesday (6) officially announced the end of the current system for containing Covid-19 outbreaks in educational institutions, including the bubble system, thereby putting an end to the need for all children to be isolated if there is a positive case.

As part of step four of reopening, which is expected to take place on July 19, ‘bubbles’ system will end for all children under 18, social distancing will no longer be necessary, and schools will not need to stagger start and finish times, though they can continue with existing arrangements until the end of summer term, Department for Education (DfE) said.

Speaking in the parliament, Williamson said: “While the pandemic is not over, we are moving into a new phase of managing Covid, from strict rules and towards personal responsibility. The measures we will have after summer strike the right balance as we learn to live with the virus so children can get on with their lives and education in the best possible way.”

Secondary schools will still be required to conduct twice-weekly lateral flow tests of pupils at the start of the new school year though the practice will be reviewed before the end of September. 

Also, headteachers will no longer conduct tracing of contacts within schools, Williamson said, with responsibility being handed to NHS test and trace.

From Aug 16, the legal requirement to self-isolate for contacts of a positive case will end for everyone aged under 18. Only those who will be tested positive will need to self-isolate, as per DfE guidelines.

Splitting testing guidelines in two categories, the DfE said that all children should take a single PCR test except early years pupils who should only take a PCR test if a member of their household tests positive.  

Other protective measures like practicing good hygiene, ventilation, and regular testing will remain in place for the autumn term in all education settings. 

All school trips, drama, music and sporting activity will be able to resume in line with the relaxation of restrictions across society, DfE said, urging all education staff to get both vaccine doses if they have not yet done so.

The announcement of end of bubble regime comes as 640,000 pupils in England were not in school due to Covid last week- up from 375,000 the week before-, media reports said, adding that out of these, just 62,000 were confirmed or suspected Covid cases while the rest were absent reportedly owing to the current bubble system.