Sheffield City Council advises against schools reopening on Monday

The South Yorkshire authority has cited fears that the test and trace system will not be ‘robust enough’ by next week.

A boy sits at a desk marked out for social distancing

Sheffield City Council is advising schools not to open to more pupils from Monday, citing fears that the NHS Test and Trace system will not be “robust enough” to be in place by next week.

The decision comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the Government’s five key tests required for the easing of the lockdown have been met – and schools can admit more pupils from next week.

Primary schools across England will reopen to children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 from June 1.

But the local authority in South Yorkshire said it does “not yet feel assured that it is the right time” to admit more children and it is advising schools and nurseries “to delay increasing numbers” until June 15.