Covid: Can Christmas nativities and festive events go ahead in schools this December?

• By ITV News Digital Multimedia Producer Elisa Menendez

As the government re-introduces measures to slow the spread of the new Omicron Covid variant, many are starting to question how this will affect their Christmas plans.

Experts predict the number of Omicron infections will shoot up ahead of the festive season, as confirmed cases started to emerge in the UK.

A series of new measures have been brought in to slow the spread of the strain, including the booster vaccine programme being extended to all over-18s, mandatory face coverings in English shops and on public transport, while travel restrictions have been imposed on arrivals from southern African countries where the variant was first flagged.

In schools, new guidance came into effect on Monday urging Year 7 pupils and above, staff, to wear face coverings in communal areas in all education settings in England.

There are already similar rules in place for pupils in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland along with strict guidance on face coverings while they're on school transport.

But what impact will the new rules have on Christmas events in schools this December?

Are nativities and festive school plays cancelled this year?

The Department for Education (DfE) has not imposed any restrictions on schools in England hoping to host festive nativities, plays, concerts or events this Christmas.

It has instead left the decision up to each education provider to decide if they want to go ahead with them.

"Sadly last year many had to be cancelled but this year, as we are at a different stage of the pandemic and so many people are benefitting from the protections the vaccines offer, we hope many more will be able to go ahead," says the DfE guidance.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a Downing Street press briefing on Tuesday “we don’t want people to cancel" nativity plays or Christmas parties.

"We think that overwhelmingly the best thing for kids is to be in school, as I’ve said many times throughout this pandemic.

“What we are doing is trying to take a balanced and proportionate approach to the particular risk that seems to be posed by Omicron, or certainly is posed by Omicron, focused in particular on measures at the borders."

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi told ITV’s This Morning programme: “My very strong advice is if you (are) organising nativities, carry on.”

Health minister Edward Argar said festive plays in school are “important to young people who’ve had a rough time” during the Covid-19 pandemic and told BBC Breakfast: "We haven’t told schools to cancel events like that."

“Headteachers, as I said just now, will make their own judgments," he added. "They know their schools, they know their premises, they know their parents and pupils.

“What we are saying is people should, as ever, be sensible.”

What if a school has particularly high rates of Covid cases?

If a nursery, school or college has high Covid case rates, local Public Health England officials "may suggest that they don’t hold gatherings, to reduce transmission", says the DfE.

However, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, Paul Whiteman, said: "Schools have already been making difficult decisions about nativities, based on the guidance they have received from local health teams.

“Where this means cancelling nativities, or parents being unable to attend, many schools will explore other options such as online-only performances."

Education providers will have to make their decisions based on various factors, including any outbreaks in the school, local case rates, and quality of ventilation in the school setting, said the joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU).

Kevin Courtney added: “Some may choose to run hybrid events or to restrict numbers, and we would hope parents would support whatever the school decides is best for children and staff.”

Essex County Council said “precautionary action” – including testing of pupils and remote learning for one class – has been taken at Larchwood Primary School in Brentwood after a link was found with the new Omicron strain.

Arabella Skinner, director of parent campaign group UsForThem, said it would be “shameful” to cancel children’s social events during the festive season.

She said: “Parents are devastated to see so many schools ramp up restrictions for a second year in a row.

“Evidence now speaks to the harm we have wreaked on children’s education, welfare and overall health over the last 18 months; to cause them further damage through increased measures and cancellation of events should be unthinkable.”

What is the government guidance around hosting festive school events?

The government guidance has not changed despite the re-introduction of some Covid measures due to the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Schools are advised to improve ventilation and fresh air flow in areas where plays or concerts are being held, and in areas where people are gathering for them.

The DfE advice says: "Air flows can be improved by ventilation systems or naturally by opening doors and windows, although schools should obviously make sure they maintain a comfortable temperature and don’t compromise fire safety.

"We are also providing CO2 monitors to all state-funded schools so staff can quickly identify where ventilation needs to be improved."

In line with the new face covering guidance in England, all visitors - along with staff and Year 7 pupils and above - are "strongly advised" to wear face coverings in communal areas inside schools.

Can parents, family members and other visitors go into school to watch the plays?

Yes, as long as the school permits it.

The government advises visitors should take a rapid lateral flow test ahead of any events, especially if they are going to come into contact with people they do not usually meet.

If your test is positive, you should isolate immediately and get a PCR test.

Wearing a face covering in crowded or enclosed areas is also advised but not compulsory.

The government says anyone in a school setting who has been identified as a close contact of a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant, will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace, required to self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test. They will then be told what to do.