16 Kent schools forced to close due to coronavirus
16:16, 26 November 2020
updated: 16:46, 26 November 2020
At least 16 schools in the county have closed due to Covid-19 cases.
In total, Kent County Council has been told of 225 confirmed cases of the virus within schools, but the number could be higher than this if not reported.
Swale, which has the highest infection rate in the country, has been the worst hit with at least 29 reported cases leading to six school closures.
Thanet and Gravesend are second on the list for the number of confirmed cases, both with 25, and have some of the highest infections rates in the country.
Two schools each were closed in Canterbury and Dover due to the virus, while one school in each of Ashford, Dartford, Gravesend, Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells have been forced to close.
Schools in Folkestone and Hythe registered the lowest number of reported Covid-19 cases with eight.
As establishments in the county began to close earlier this month a letter from a KCC education boss was sent round to headteachers, advising them to speak to nearby schools before making the decision to shut.
Earlier today it was revealed Kent will face tier 3 restrictions when it comes out of a national lockdown next month.
It means under the new rules, non-essential shops and gyms will be able to reopen and outdoor sports will be able to return from December 2.
Hairdressers and personal care services will be allowed to reopen too - but any indoor group activities and classes will not be allowed to take place.
Pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen in tiers one and two - but areas like Kent in tier three will be forced to remain as takeaway-only service.
Collective worship and weddings will also be able to continue and will be subject to social distancing and educational settings such as universities, colleges and schools will remain open across England regardless of the local tier status.
Figures from the council range from September 1 to November 17.
