Closing schools only had tiny impact on coronavirus spread but harms kids, study shows

Researchers found school closures alone could reduce UK deaths during the Covid-19 outbreak by as little as 2 per cent.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

But the University College London experts warn the costs are “high”, with children’s health and education damaged and family finances hit.

They reviewed 16 studies on the impact of school closures and other social distancing measures in previous epidemics.

They say schools will need to consider how they can protect pupils when they reopen - perhaps staggering start and break times.

Nine in ten students worldwide - more than 1.5billion youngsters - are currently out of school because of coronavirus.

Robert Halfon, chair of the Commons Education Committee, yesterday said he believes there will be staged reopenings of schools when the pandemic begins to ease.

The Tory MP said: “We are walking hand-grenades potentially at the moment in the way that we can spread this disease.

“And that is what lies I think behind the Government’s decision [to impose a lockdown]. I suspect that when things get better, we will be allowed out in stages.

“Vulnerable citizens will probably be told to stay at home and there will be staged openings of schools and restaurants and businesses.

“But the only thing we can do is follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Advisor.”

The review findings are published in the journal The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.