Even if England shut every school, it still might not be enough to keep the new ‘mutant’ Covid strain under control, experts fear.
SAGE said they simply didn't know yet - and the answer may only become clear in mid-January. It comes in newly-revealed files that show the new variant may be spreading 71% more quickly than other versions of coronavirus.
Advisors also said the two-metre social distancing rule is “likely” to have to be “reconsidered” in light of the new strain.
This could lead to people being told they can only break the two-metre rule they are wearing a mask, and for no other reason.