Covid: Closing of schools not ruled out by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson did not rule out the possibility of schools closing again if Covid surge.

The Conservative MP said measures such as the reintroduction of face coverings in classrooms could be a potential lever to help control infection in schools. He also did not rule out the possibility of classes being taken outside this academic year.

His comments came as pupils across England and Wales have begun to return to the classroom this week after the summer holidays, and schools in Northern Ireland have reopened.

Schools in Scotland returned a fortnight ago and the reopening is believed to have contributed to a rise in cases north of the border.

Children do not need to isolate if they come into contact with a positive case of Covid-19 - instead they will need to get a PCR test and isolate only if positive.

Watch the full interview with the Education Secretary above.