Boris Johnson 'would close pubs before schools' in local Covid-19 lockdown

Prime minister says it is a national priority' and moral duty' to get all pupils back into classrooms

Boris Johnson has spoken of a moral duty" to get all children back in class amid indications he would force pubs, restaurants and shops to close ahead of schools in the event of severe coronavirus flare-ups.

The prime minister is understood to favour only closing schools as the last resort after scientific advisers warned more restrictions may be needed to reopen classrooms in England next month.