HEALTH bosses for the Government have said that schools in England could start reopening region by region after February half term.

Primary and secondary schools have been operating via remote learning - with help from homeschooling parents - since the third lockdown started earlier this month.

Deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries has said counties could begin reopening schools after February half term, dependant on their Covid-19 infection rates. Until then, schools will provide between three and five hours of remote learning per day.

University studies will also operate remotely until lockdown ends except for the courses of future essential workers such as nurses and vets. Current lockdown restrictions remain law until March 31 but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously said it could end mid-February, pledging to keep the situation under review.