Bolton Council has been made aware of a video containing dangerous false information about schools and COVID-19, as pupils return to the classroom at the start of the September term.
The video, shared on social media, claims that schools are testing pupils for coronavirus without permission from parents and taking children into quarantine if they test positive.
Council bosses have reassured families that this is categorically untrue and urged others not to share the hoax video.
I urge parents not to listen to this malicious hoax and ask everyone to stop sharing this video.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Anne Galloway, said:
“Spreading false rumours and hoax videos at this time is abhorrent and undermines the hard work that has gone into making our schools a safe and welcoming environment to return to.
“The claims made in this video are not true. Schools will always contact parents if a child becomes unwell and would never arrange a COVID-19 test without parental consent.
“It is so important for the education and wellbeing of Bolton’s children that they are able to get back to the classroom safely.
“I urge parents not to listen to this malicious hoax and ask everyone to stop sharing this video.”