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Coronavirus: Cheshire school shuts as pupils return from Italy ski trip | Coronavirus: Cheshire school shuts as pupils return from Italy ski trip |
(30 minutes later) | |
A school has closed after staff and pupils returned from a skiing trip to a coronavirus-hit region of Italy. | A school has closed after staff and pupils returned from a skiing trip to a coronavirus-hit region of Italy. |
Cransley School in Northwich, Cheshire, said it took the decision after government advice for Britons returning from northern Italy to self-isolate. | Cransley School in Northwich, Cheshire, said it took the decision after government advice for Britons returning from northern Italy to self-isolate. |
Head teacher Richard Pollock said some pupils who had been on the trip to the Alpine region of Bormio were "showing flu-like symptoms". | |
He said the independent school would remain closed all week. | He said the independent school would remain closed all week. |
In a letter to parents, he explained he made the decision despite Public Health England's advice that the school should stay open to other pupils. | In a letter to parents, he explained he made the decision despite Public Health England's advice that the school should stay open to other pupils. |
He said he and the school's governors believed it was the best way to "completely minimise possible spread of infection". | He said he and the school's governors believed it was the best way to "completely minimise possible spread of infection". |
"During this time, the school will be able to conduct a deep clean, and monitor the results of tests amongst those pupils who are currently showing flu-like symptoms," Mr Pollock said. | "During this time, the school will be able to conduct a deep clean, and monitor the results of tests amongst those pupils who are currently showing flu-like symptoms," Mr Pollock said. |
"I understand there will be a variety of reactions to this decision amongst parents, and hope that all families will understand the developing situation." | "I understand there will be a variety of reactions to this decision amongst parents, and hope that all families will understand the developing situation." |
It is believed pupils from the school were taking part in Alpine Champs 2020, a winter sports competition for young English skiers. | |
Rich Cannon, who has a child at the school, said: "I'm glad the school is being proactive and sensible. I'm very happy with the way the headmaster has handled the situation." | Rich Cannon, who has a child at the school, said: "I'm glad the school is being proactive and sensible. I'm very happy with the way the headmaster has handled the situation." |
Meanwhile, another school in nearby Nantwich has sent home a large group of children and several staff amid concerns about the virus. | Meanwhile, another school in nearby Nantwich has sent home a large group of children and several staff amid concerns about the virus. |
The pupils, who attend Brine Leas School, had also recently returned from a skiing trip in Italy. | |
The school said it would follow the most recent advice and stay open to other children. | The school said it would follow the most recent advice and stay open to other children. |
Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said the school had sent the pupils home "as a precautionary measure" and the children did not visit an area specified as a controlled area by the Italian government. | |
Italy has put 11 towns in Lombardy and Veneto into lockdown. | Italy has put 11 towns in Lombardy and Veneto into lockdown. |
Police are manning checkpoints around the towns after 229 people tested positive for the virus and seven died. | Police are manning checkpoints around the towns after 229 people tested positive for the virus and seven died. |