A BRADFORD education union president has called on the Government to review in a week's time its decision to not shut schools early for Christmas.

Many schools and parents posed the idea of finishing the term early to try alleviate concerns surrounding the arrival of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant over the weekend.

But the Government stopped schools from breaking up for Christmas early and warned parents about taking their kids out before the term is officially finished.

Ian Murch, president of the National Education Union in Bradford, wants the situation to be reviewed, given much is still unknown about the impact of the Omicron variant.

He said: “We’ll have to wait and see because obviously the new variant could potentially change everything, but we don’t know exactly how.

“But I certainly want them to review in a week’s time and see about closing early then.”

It will once again be mandatory for face coverings to be worn in shops and on public transport from tomorrow.

But the word from the Government in secondary schools is guidance rather than strict rules when it comes to face coverings - urging pupils and staff to wearing them in the corridors and outside classrooms.

Mr Murch feels the Government is not targeting the right area.

He said: “It’s a slight improvement, what they’re suggesting, but it still not suggesting wearing them in classrooms

“There’s 30 people in a room together for an hour and that’s absolutely ideal spreading conditions and that’s why secondary had the most cases in the last few months.”

“I’m particularly concerned in Bradford, after the lull over half term, cases in school age children has gone up again and risen above what they were before half term.”