Sheffield school sends new instructions home to parents to prevent spread of Covid-19

Maxine Stafford, head of Abbey Lane Primary School, has told parents that from tomorrow, they will be expected to wear a face covering when dropping off and picking up their children.

She has also told mums and dads to stop gathering in groups outside the school gates.

In a letter sent to parents and seen by The Star, she said: “In the last two weeks, there have been around 25 schools in Sheffield who have to close at least one bubble, due to a confirmed case of COVID.

"The R rate is rising, and Sheffield is on the Government’s watch-list for further lockdown measures.

“We are doing everything we can to avoid Abbey Lane being one of the schools that has to close, but to protect your children and our staff, we do need you to work with us.

“From tomorrow, we need you to wear a face covering when dropping off your children in the morning and collecting them at home time, and to not gather in groups outside the gates.

“I hope that you can appreciate that we want to keep everyone safe and in school, and that you will work with us to protect the whole community.”

It comes after the Government’s chief scientists warned this morning that the UK could face 50,000 coronavirus cases a day by mid October unless urgent action is taken.

Further lockdown restrictions are set to be announce tomorrow by Boris Johnson.