Children with severe asthma advised not to return to schools when they reopen

Children with severe asthma should not return to school when they reopen in England next week, experts are saying.

Parents of asthmatic children who are shielding are being advised to call their GP if they are concerned about them returning to the classroom.

Health charity Asthma UK says the reopening of schools is a worrying time for parents of an estimated 130,000 children with asthma and also staff with the condition.

Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma UK’s clinical lead and a practising GP, said: “If your child is shielding, then you should not send them back to school. People who are shielding are classed as “clinically extremely vulnerable” and will have been told to shield by their GP.

"If your child is not shielding but someone in your household is, then your child should not return to school unless they are able to maintain a 'stringent' social distance from the person that is shielding, according to government advice.

"It is worth remembering that parents in England will not be fined if they do not send their children back to school at this time."

He added: "Asthma doesn’t make you more likely to get coronavirus, but unfortunately if people with long-term lung conditions like asthma get coronavirus, it can be more severe."

The news come after Boris Johnson announced that some primary schools will reopen on June 1 for reception, Years 1 and 6 and nurseries.

They are currently only open to children of key workers and vulnerable youngsters.

Some schools and colleges may also be able to offer some face to face contact and support for year 10 and year 12 pupils.

The charity is urging parents to ensure their child's school has an up-to-date copy of their asthma action plan and a named, in-date reliever inhaler and spacer.

Children who will be taught by a different teacher should be made aware of their condition and what they should do if they experience symptoms.

Asthma UK also says bosses should ensure social distancing is practised at all times.

Several councils have said they will not be reopening their schools on June 1 including Liverpool, Hartlepool, Birmingham, and even Tory-run Solihull and Essex.

Some are looking at later dates, some are still waiting to see what will happen, and some are suggesting returns may be part-time - despite the government saying this isn't an option.

Plans to open schools with new measures such as class sizes halved, no toys, staggered breaks and one-way corridors have divided many in the teaching profession.

They said they need time to prepare, and also want to see the full scientific evidence on whether it'll be safe.

Scientists have also said the government should wait until after a delayed "test, track and trace" app is up and running.

A rival group to the government's Sage committee said June 1 is "too early" for schools to reopen.

The "Independent Sage" committee said the government should delay the reopening date for another two weeks.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland schools will remain shut to the wider population.