An education union says it will be guided by public health advice when it's time to reopen schools

An epidemiologist is calling for the beginning of term one to be delayed as cases of Omicron in children skyrocket overseas.

Otago University's Amanda Kvalsvig wants to ensure vaccination rates among kids are high first to keep them safe.

Liam Rutherford from the New Zealand Educational Institute says they're not under the illusion Covid is done and dusted.

He says the strength of the Covid response has been in leaving public health experts to follow the science and advise Government, and they'll take their lead from them.