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A Herne Bay school has defended its decision to go-ahead with a skiing trip to northern Italy amid the coronavirus outbreak.
A group of children from Herne Bay High left on Saturday to travel to Alpine resort Pila, which is more than 260km away from virus-hit Lombardy.
Head teacher Jon Boyes says a decision on whether the pupils will be self-quarantined on their return this weekend has not yet been made.
“I’ll write to the parents of the children on the ski trip either on the Thursday afternoon (today) or Friday morning informing them of the school’s decision,” he said.
“We’re in constant communication with the local authority, Public Health England, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the tour operator.
“The situation is rapidly changing. It will be foolhardy to make a decision any sooner.”
Pila has not had a confirmed case of Covid-19 and is hundreds of kilometres from the parts of Lombardy and Veneto the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is advising against all but essential travel to.
The children are the only ones currently staying in their hotel and travelled to the ski resort by coach without stopping elsewhere in Italy.
Despite this, KentOnline has been contacted by a parent who says she is disgusted the trip went ahead.
Another, who asked not to be named, said: “It is unbelievable this trip went ahead and was authorised.
“The school are receiving hundreds of complaints about the fact they let the trip take place with the coronavirus threat at the moment.”
But several other parents have defended the decision on Facebook, with one writing: "I think people need to stop overreacting and let the poor kids enjoy their holiday."
Mr Boyes added: “It is a safer place than being here at the minute. We undertook risk assessments about the activities they’re doing to make sure they didn’t put them in any adverse risk.
“The risk of going to London is probably significantly greater than it is going to Pila.”
Italy has now confirmed it is closing all schools as it fights to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
A statement published on Herne Bay High's website yesterday says: “All parents of students on the trip have been informed prior to leaving that they may be requested to remain at home on return and that this decision will be made later this week.
“The reason for deciding at the end of the week is that this is a very fast-changing situation and it is prudent to have all the facts at the time before making a decision.
“Whatever the course of action, I will keep all staff, parents and students updated throughout.
“Rest assured all decisions the school makes about all trips and activities are always taken following detailed risk assessments and with the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff students and families at its heart.”
The head teacher says the school is carrying out assessments into the risks associated with two more trips planned for the end of this week to Rochester and London.
