England aims to lift restrictions in schools in final stage of lockdown easing, minister says

FILE PHOTO: Pupils attend a mathematics lesson at Colwich Church of England Primary School's new outdoor learning space, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Colwich, Staffordshire, Britain May 10, 2021. REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff

LONDON (Reuters) - British education minister Gavin Williamson on Wednesday said he expects to be able to end the restrictions and bubble system in England's schools when other freedoms are regained in the last step out of lockdown, scheduled for July 19.

The current system can result in entire classes of pupils being asked to self isolate if one of their classmates tests positive for COVID-19.