Latest updates: pupil absences hit new record high as 11.2% of state school pupils did not attend class in the week of 8 July
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Covid-related pupil absence in schools in England has hit a new record high since all students returned to class in March, PA Media reports. PA says:
Around 11.2% of state school pupils did not attend class for Covid-19 related reasons on 8 July, up from 8.5% on 1 July, and 5.1% on 24 June, according to Department for Education (DfE) statistics.
These include approximately 747,000 children self-isolating due to a possible contact with a Covid-19 case, 35,000 pupils with a suspected case of coronavirus and 39,000 with a confirmed case of Covid-19.
No domestic train operators or major bus and coach firms will require passengers to wear face coverings on services in England from Monday, PA Media reports. PA says:
Transport companies have the power to turn away customers who refuse to cover their noses and mouths even when the legal requirement is lifted on 19 July.
Yesterday Boris Johnson said “we expect and recommend” that people continue to wear face coverings in “crowded and enclosed spaces … such as on public transport”.
