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Government keeps high schools closed for two extra weeks to combat new coronavirus variant

Testing will now begin 'in earnest', education secretary Gavin Williamson said, with those students in exam years to be at the head of the queue

Pupils at Rosshall Academy
Pupils at Rosshall Academy Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Secondary schools in England will stay closed after the Christmas break for a further two weeks in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said the decision had been taken to delay the re-opening of schools from 4 January, as cases across England skyrocketed and three-quarters of the country prepares to enter Tier 4 restrictions. The move will allow these schools more time to implement mass testing schemes.

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