Parents who take children on holiday to amber list countries ‘can avoid fines if they quarantine’
Parents who take their children on holiday to amber list countries like Spain will be able to avoid fines for missing school during quarantine by taking online lessons, according to reports.
Current government rules say that children cannot miss school “without a good reason” or parents will be fined £60, which rises to £120 if unpaid within 21 days.
Meanwhile, schools cannot legally fine parents whose children are doing mandatory quarantine even if they're returning from an amber list country, Yahoo understands.
The government is reluctant to have parents facing fines over kids missing school amid fears that families would break quarantine, according to the i.
Education sources told the newspaper that there is now a “grey area” over whether parents should be fined if their children are not in school due to quarantine after half term.
Meanwhile, school leaders are also reportedly concerned that threatening fines would result in children coming back to school who have picked up COVID abroad.
A headteacher in the North West, who asked not to be named, told the i that his biggest concern was “families travelling and not telling school – sending students back in without isolation”.
Schools will instead likely turn to remote learning so children can complete their quarantine period, the newspaper reported.
It comes after Spain announced it is lifting restrictions to UK travellers from Monday.
Watch: Health Secretary: You should not go to amber list countries on holiday
This has fuelled fears that a surge of tourists will flock to the country over the school half-term from May 28.
Spain is currently on the amber list, which means people should not be travelling there for a holiday and must self-isolate for 10 days when they return to England.
A Government spokesperson told Yahoo: “Our guidance is clear that people should not travel to amber list countries or territories for holidays.
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“Parents also have a duty to make sure their child regularly attends school, and they should make sure wherever possible, this does not conflict with self-isolation requirements following international travel.”
Yahoo has also contacted the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) for comment.
Watch: Spain is to allow UK holidaymakers in without COVID test
