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Parents of students who would usually catch the bus to school are being asked to consider walking or cycling instead, to maintain social distancing.
While school buses will still be running when States schools go back next week, there will be limited space available so passengers can distance themselves.
But Education, Sport and Culture is concerned that the schools' infrastructure will be overwhelmed if all parents take to dropping their children off in their cars instead.
“We are asking parents and carers to try, wherever possible, to make alternative arrangements for their children to get to and from school," explained President of ESC, Deputy Matt Fallaize. "For some, we know that is not going to be possible, but for any student able to walk or cycle it really is very important that they do so we can save the limited bus seats for those who really need them.”
Pictured: Many schools were encouraging active travel before lockdown restrictions were imposed (La Houguette students walking in December).
Any parents who can't make alternative arrangements will have to fill in a form, included in the recently sent out 'back to school' guidance document, expressing interest in a place on the bus for their child. If more students require a seat than the reduced capacity can allow, priority will be given to those who live further away from the school.
“When we prioritise space for cars over space for people, social distancing is much more difficult and sometimes impossible," said Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez of Environment & Infrastructure, which has worked with ESC on the plans.
"We all understand why we have to minimise bus use at the moment, but if all of those students switch to cars, we could have a very, very big problem on our hands. Using my children’s primary school as an example, most students live within a mile, and there are loads of places nearby that could be used for drop and stride or park and stride for families that live further away.
Pictured: Children who live furthest away will be given priority on the bus.
"We know lots of children want to walk and cycle: we need to help make that possible for them.”
E&I has said it will consider introducing extra safety measures, such as pop-up pavements and crossings, time-limited speed limits and traffic-free school zones to make active travel possible over the next half term.
“Maintaining social distancing wherever possible remains really important, so we need to limit the number of people who can ride on a bus," added Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink.
She has repeatedly said that while we have now achieved zero active cases of covid-19, we cannot become complacent, so social distancing remains a key part of the fight against corona virus.
"However, this also presents an excellent opportunity for people to embrace active travel wherever it is possible for them to do so. Children and young people walking or cycling to school has so many benefits from a public health perspective, so I really hope lots use the capacity limitations on school buses as the perfect opportunity to do so.”
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