9 Nov 2020

Expert backs plan to make early childhood centres hotter

From Morning Report, 7:40 am on 9 November 2020

A public health specialist is backing plans to raise the minimum temperature in early childhood centres, saying it will reduce the spread of viruses.

Ministerial documents show the government has asked the Education Ministry to consult on raising the minimum indoor temperature from 16C to the World Health Organisation benchmark of 18C.

Researcher Mike Bedford says it is long overdue but he warns many centres will struggle to comply.

Here's education correspondent John Gerritsen.