One day of planning went into Covid school closures, inquiry hears1 hour ago Share Save Vanessa Clarke Education reporter Share SaveGetty ImagesThe government did not start planning for the closure of schools until the day before the decision was made, the Covid-19 inquiry has heard. Up until 16 March 2020, focus had been on keeping schools open, so there were no contingency plans in place, according to evidence given by the former education secretary Gavin Williamson. Sir Gavin described a "discombobulating 24-hour sea change" in his written evidence, counsel to the inquiry Clair Dobbin KC said. "It is significant that there should be any dispute about whether planning for so seismic an event existed," she said. The Welsh government acknowledged there was "inadequate planning" to close schools, and the Scottish government has said there was also "limited preparedness".