Eton College ‘closes temporarily due to outbreak of coronavirus’

Pupils and staff at Eton College have tested positive for the virus
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April Roach @aprilroach2811 December 2020

Eton College has temporarily closed after an outbreak of coronavirus at the prestigious school, it has been reported.

Pupils at the college will be taught remotely until the end of term in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19 further.

Eton College told the Evening Standard a “number of boys and staff have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last few days”.

Headmaster Simon Henderson wrote to parents in a letter, seen by the Daily Mail, which said “a number of symptomatic boys and staff tested positive” for the virus.

Mr Henderson said cases could “increase significantly over the weekend and into next week” if the college did not take action.

“We do not want to run the risk of boys and staff becoming unwell and we have to be able to safely staff the school,” wrote Mr Henderson.

"Therefore, with regret, we have taken the decision that we cannot continue to keep the physical school open beyond tomorrow."

A spokesperson from Eton College said: "Given our specific boarding context and following advice, we have asked boys to return home this weekend to minimise further spread of the virus.

“Most boys are taking internal exams, which they will now sit at home, and others will receive online tuition for three days until the end of the term."

The students who tested positive for the virus have been told to self-isolate while the staff will have to track down people who have been in contact with them.

It comes after the Government announced secondary school pupils in London’s worst-affected boroughs will be tested for Covid-19.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Having spoken to the leaders of London's councils and the mayor, we've decided to put in place an immediate plan for testing all secondary school aged children in the seven worst affected boroughs of London, in parts of Essex that border London and parts of Kent.

“We want to keep schools open because that is both right for education and for public health.”

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