With most Covid-19 restrictions eased across the UK, many families are hoping for a more normal school year in 2021 and 2022. 

The next set of school holidays are fast approaching as the October half term is right around the corner. 

Half term dates vary by school, but each local council set holiday frameworks that act as guidance. 

When are the October half-term dates in Lancashire? 

According to the Lancashire Council Council website, schools will close on Friday, October 22nd and reopen on Monday, November 1st. 

The autumn term runs until Friday, December 17th 2021.  

You can check the individual school dates here. 

Will there be a Covid 'firebreak' lockdown? 

The Government has set out its winter plan to tackle Covid in England.

Plan A includes healthy 12-15-year-olds are being offered one dose and booster jabs being offered to over-50s, younger adults with health conditions and frontline health and social care workers.

If this guidance creates "unsustainable pressure" on the NHS, the government has created Plan B, which includes compulsory face coverings in some settings, asking people to work from home and the introduction of vaccine passports.

In September, the i newspaper said there were plans for an October 'firebreak' lockdown over the half-term holiday. 

However, the Department for Education dismissed these claims, tweeting: "It is not true that the Government is planning a lockdown or firebreak around the October half term."

As of October 3rd, 30,439 people in the UK tested positive for Covid-19 and there were 43 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

Nearly 45 million people have been double jabbed up to October 2nd, 2021.