Finland reveals reopening schools has not seen an increase in coronavirus cases and Norway's PM admits shutting classes 'might not have been necessary'

  • Finland began reopening schools on May 14 with social distancing in place 
  • Two weeks on it has seen no surge in cases, the country's health director said
  • Norway's Prime Minister has said closing schools might not have been needed
  • Comes amid row between UK unions and government on reopening schools

Finland has seen no spike in coronavirus cases two weeks after schools reopened - while Norway has admitted stopping classes might have been unnecessary. 

The Nordic countries have both been easing their lockdowns after successfully flattening the curve of infections, with schools among the first things to reopen.

That stands in stark contrast to the UK where a planned reopening of schools on June 1 looks unlikely to go ahead amid a standoff with teaching unions.

Union bosses say there is 'inconclusive' evidence that the reopening - which would have seen pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 return next week - would be safe.

Finland - which allowed pupils to start returning to school on May 14 (pictured) - says it has seen no spike in coronavirus cases in the two weeks since

Finland - which allowed pupils to start returning to school on May 14 (pictured) - says it has seen no spike in coronavirus cases in the two weeks since 

Finland began reopening its schools on May 14 with social distancing measures in place after coronavirus case numbers and deaths fell significantly from their peak.

Daycare centres and primary schools were among the first to open, with social distancing in place.

Mika Salminen, director of health security at the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, revealed on Thursday that she has seen 'no evidence' of an uptick in cases.

The two week period between the reopening and her announcement is significant, because that is thought to be the maximum incubation period of the virus.

That means any infections caused early in the reopening would be expected to have shown in the data by now.

Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg has admitted that closing schools may not have been necessary to slow the pandemic, admitting she acted 'out of fear'

Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg has admitted that closing schools may not have been necessary to slow the pandemic, admitting she acted 'out of fear'

However, she cautioned that the time since the reopening 'has been short' and more evidence is needed to be conclusive.

Finland has confirmed 6,743 cases of the virus and 313 deaths. 

Meanwhile in Norway, which began reopening schools in April, Prime Minister Erna Solberg admitted that closing them might not have been necessary to slow the spread of the virus.

Quizzed on her virus response by public broadcaster NRK, she admitted that 'many' of her decision were taken 'out of fear' amid dire worst-case predictions from scientists.

She said he approach was to take no risks despite uncertainty about how the virus would spread, including shutting down schools on March 12 as the country went into full lockdown.

Reflecting on the decision, she said: 'Was it necessary to close schools? Maybe not. But at the same time, I think it was the right thing to do at the time. 

'Based on the information we had, we took a precautionary strategy.'

NASUWT general secretary Patrick Roach
Education secretary Gavin Williamson

A phased reopening of UK schools due on June 1 is unlikely to go ahead amid a standoff between teaching unions (NASUWT chef Patrick Roach left) and the government (Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, right)

She said we 'may never know' whether any individual measure was responsible for slowing the spread of the virus, or whether it was all the measures taken together.

Norway has reported 8,401 cases of the virus and 235 deaths.

Britain - which did not go into lockdown until March 23 - has been forced to take a more cautious approach to easing measures after suffering 267,240 cases and 37,460 deaths from the virus - one of the worst tolls in the developed world.

A limited number of outdoor activities have been allowed since mid-May, but the majority of businesses and schools remain shuttered.

From next week retail stores will gradually reopen with people allowed to socialise outdoors with other households, but people will still be asked to work from home if possible and avoid public transport.

Schools across the country were supposed to begin a phased reopening at the same time, but such a move now appears unlikely.

At least 11 councils have said they will not reopen classrooms on Monday as planned, while unions have repeatedly called for more talks on the issue.

Schools in Scotland and Wales will not return until at least August 11. 

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