Schools across the Royal Borough of Greenwich in southeast London are being forced to close from the end of day on Monday and move classes online, amid an "exponential growth" of the pandemic.
In an open letter published on Sunday evening, the leader of the council Danny Thorpe warned that "the situation in Greenwich in relation to COVID-19 is now escalating extremely quickly".
"I have today been briefed by colleagues from Public Health England that the pandemic in Greenwich is now showing signs that we are in a period of exponential growth that demands immediate action," Mr Thorpe continued.
He said Greenwich is seeing the highest rates of coronavirus infection than at any time since March.
"For these reasons I have therefore asked all schools in Greenwich to close their premises from Monday evening and move to online learning for the duration of the term," Mr Thorpe added.
As in the first lockdown, exceptions will remain for the children of key workers and those with specific needs, he said.
In another letter to families, Mr Thorpe stressed: "It is absolutely essential that everyone understands this is NOT an opportunity to extend Christmas celebrations in any way, and I'm asking for this to happen to reduce the risk of transmission."
He apologised for the disruption that the school closures were likely to cause to family lives, adding: "I wouldn't be asking for this unless the risk was extreme, but with numbers rising so rapidly it is clear action is needed."
The move comes as another 18,447 coronavirus cases and 144 related deaths have been reported on Sunday across the whole of the UK. Last Sunday, the figures were 17,272 and 231.
Total cases over the past seven days are up 19.1% - or 20,245 - on the previous week, with 126,163 people testing positive.
It is this rise that is fuelling fears that some areas, such as London, could move to the top tier of restrictions when the rules for England are reviewed next week.
UK deaths over the past seven days have dipped by 2%, with 61 fewer recorded, at 2,941.
The coronavirus vaccine rollout is set to step up a gear next week when some GP surgeries begin inviting over-80s to get the jab.
Another key prong in the government's coronavirus plan - mass community testing of people without symptoms - is also to intensify.
From Monday, a total of 67 local authorities in Tier 3 can begin enhanced testing programmes using quick turnaround tests.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMigAFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9jb3ZpZC0xOS1ncmVlbndpY2gtc2Nob29scy1mb3JjZWQtdG8tY2xvc2UtYXMtcGFuZGVtaWMtZ3Jvd3MtZXhwb25lbnRpYWxseS1pbi1sb25kb24tYm9yb3VnaC0xMjE2MDY2NdIBhAFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvY292aWQtMTktZ3JlZW53aWNoLXNjaG9vbHMtZm9yY2VkLXRvLWNsb3NlLWFzLXBhbmRlbWljLWdyb3dzLWV4cG9uZW50aWFsbHktaW4tbG9uZG9uLWJvcm91Z2gtMTIxNjA2NjU?oc=5
2020-12-13 21:04:37Z
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