I would take Whitty's opinion in this case.

Whitty at odds with Johnson over 'big bang' reopening of schools in England
Exclusive: chief medical officer is said to be ‘very unhappy’ with plans for all children to go back to class on 8 March

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/feb/19/whitty-at-odds-with-johnson-over-big-bang-reopening-of-schools-in-england