There is "no good reason" for schools to remain closed after the summer break despite fears about swine flu, the British Government announced Friday.
Health experts predict the number of flu cases to rise sharply in the autumn and winter months but evidence shows that closing schools is of "limited benefit".
Updated guidance from Education Secretary Ed Balls said schools should re-open as normal, with millions of children due to start class next week.
When the flu outbreak began earlier in the year, some schools were closed as a precaution to help try and contain the virus, but the UK has now seen too many cases of swine flu, meaning closing schools will have little effect.
In a message to teachers, Balls said "We have been closely monitoring the spread and severity of swine flu over the school holidays. The latest scientific advice to the Government is that individual school closures are now of limited benefit in stopping the spread of disease.
"Given the mildness of the virus, the expert medical advice is that there is no good reason for schools to remain closed after the summer holiday." The number of deaths linked to swine flu in the UK now stands at 66 after a 52-year-old man died in Scotland last Wednesday night.
Seven people have died in Scotland, 57 in England, one in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, said yesterday there were an estimated 5,000 new cases of swine flu in England in the last week.
The first vaccinations of people in at-risk groups, such as those with asthma and diabetes, are expected to take place in October after the vaccine receives its licence.

Kuna