PUPILS travelling from as far as London to get to Southend schools are posing “unnecessary risks” with Covid spreading, say council leaders.

Calls are now mounting for a return to home schooling for those from areas with high infection rates, which includes the capital.

It comes as the Government is said to be considering tougher restrictions similar to that imposed last April, with no indoor mixing, schools being shut and hospitality only open outside.

Ron Woodley, Independent deputy leader of Southend Council, said: “I cannot see why those from London aren’t taught at home. There should not be that risk with them travelling to Southend and bringing infection.

“It should only be Southend children in the classrooms and it’s the same as working at home too. Especially as London has a lower Covid vaccine take up too.

“I said it for a while that we should be worried about those coming from London or even Kent to our grammar schools but it’s also all schools.

“I do think it would be practical too for people to learn from home with Teams and Zoom and these are clever kids.”

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He said thousands come for the schools and raised concerns that some parts of London only saw a 30 per cent jab uptake.

Boris Johnson is reportedlyconsidering a return to Step 2 Covid restrictions from December 27.

Details of a possible postChristmas lockdown emerged over the weekend, which included restrictions on indoor mixing.

Martin Terry, Independent councillor for public protection, echoed calls for out of town pupils to move to online learning.

He said: “I think it does present a challenge as they’re getting on packed public transport and it is a risk.

“These young people are coming from high infection areas so we need to be mindful of the situation. I think there is an argument for these people to go to online learning.

“We are creating unnecessary risks and we have got to think about it. I think it seems odd we’ve got a work from home direction but these children and young people are travelling for school and the infection is higher in the age group.”