Sadiq Khan is calling on the government to consider asking schools and colleges across London to close early and reopen later in January because of “significant” coronavirus outbreaks among 10 to 19-year-olds.
In a letter to the prime minister, the mayor of London said “urgent consideration must… be given to closing secondary schools, sixth form and FE colleges a few days early and keeping them closed for longer after Christmas”.
It comes as schools across the Royal Borough of Greenwich in southeast London are being forced to close and move classes online amid an “exponential growth” of the pandemic.
The mayor of London said the recent spike in COVID-19 cases across the capital is “deeply concerning” and needs further government action.
He wrote to Boris Johnson on Sunday requesting an immediate increase in testing provision for people working from home as well as students and staff at secondary schools and colleges.
He added that face coverings should be made mandatory in busy outdoor public spaces because of the increase of Christmas shoppers on the streets.
Sadiq Khan says face coverings should be mandatory in busy outdoor spaces
He said: “The surge in coronavirus cases across our capital is deeply concerning.
“I am calling on the government to urgently provide additional support to get the spread under control, save lives and livelihoods and ensure our NHS is not overwhelmed this winter.”
He added: “Increased testing is key to this, which is why I want to see regular asymptomatic testing extended to all those unable to work from home and to students and staff at London’s secondary schools, sixth-form college and FE (further education) colleges.”
Mr Khan suggested that all schools and colleges across the capital should be given “priority testing” from today and Tuesday.
He warned that moving London from Tier 2 to Tier 3 would have a “catastrophic” economic impact on businesses, putting “hundreds of thousands of livelihoods at stake”.
In a bid to protect London businesses, he asked the prime minister for a compensation scheme to be put in place for all lost income during the Christmas period.
Mr Khan wants increased testing in the UK capital
He said the current support is “insufficient” to keep many businesses and the self-employed in the capital afloat.
“Time is running out to get the virus under control in our city which is why I urge the government to heed my call and provide us with the extra support we desperately need,” Mr Khan said.
The latest data by Public Health England showed there was an increase in COVID-19 case rates in every borough of London in the seven days to 9 December.
There were also 17 boroughs where the seven-day rate exceeded 200 cases per 100,000 people.
Latest figures show that the borough of Havering has the highest coronavirus rate in London, with 1,314 new cases recorded in the seven days to 9 December.
The government said it will review all tiers in England on 16 December.