Trades Union protestors led a cavalcade of cars through Medway this morning to show their opposition to schools reopening.

Setting off from Grove Road car park in Strood, union members took a route through the Towns to Rainham Railway Station and back to show support for teachers as some pupils headed back through the school gates today.

Steve Wilkins, secretary of Medway Trades Union Council, said: “Today is about making a protest about the reckless attempts to reopen schools when they haven’t got test and trace up and running.

"On Friday, the head of the new test and trace service said it would be operational until June.

"Generally the rules are you can only meet up to six people outside but in schools you can have up to 15 children inside for up to six hours.

"One of the other amazing things is if you come into contact with someone with symptoms you are supposed to self isolate. In schools if a child has symptoms the teachers are supposed to isolate them, get the parents to pick them up, then carry on.

“It’s important to show that there’s opposition. It’s important to do something otherwise people will think it’s ok and everyone’s happy. Well, we’re not happy.”

Roger Tooth, a shop steward with Unison, affiliated with the Trades Union Council, stressed that the five tests, which had been drawn up as the minimum standard before reopening schools, had not been met.

And he said teachers should feel under no pressure to return.

“It’s a bit of a nonsense,” he said. “It’s not about being heroes and jeopardising people’s lives.

“It’s a straight forward message – unless it’s safe the kids should not go back to school. What’s happening at Eton? Why aren’t the kids going back there? Why aren’t the MPs going back to the Houses of Parliament?”

Drivers in the cavalcade displayed placards in their windows, with the strapline "Protect Children –Protect Staff – Save Lives."

Some youngsters in early years, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 headed back to their lessons from this morning.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says there will be strict social distancing in classrooms, including limiting class sizes to 15 pupils.

The government has reassured parents and teachers it is safe for schools to reopen.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

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