Students to wear masks outside of classrooms
PUPILS and staff in secondary schools and colleges in Wales will be expected to wear masks in all areas outside the classroom – including playgrounds and canteens.
The Welsh Government yesterday updated its operational guidance on the use of masks in schools and colleges following new warnings that coronavirus spreads more easily among pupils than first thought.
The new stricter guidance means masks must be worn by staff and pupils in all areas outside the classroom in secondary schools and colleges, including in the yard outside at break-time and in canteens, as well as on school transport. Masks must also be worn by parents and carers dropping off and picking up children.
Rules for masks in classrooms remain the same.
They do not have to be worn in classrooms with “bubble” contact groups and where social distancing is in place.
There is no change for primary schools, where the guidance remains that they do not have to be worn.
Before term started in September, Education Minister Kirsty Williams said she did not want to issue blanket advice on masks. The Welsh Government said the decision would be left for councils to decide what was best locally.
This led to most local authorities and secondary schools and colleges saying masks had to be worn in communal areas, but there have been differing policies and different implementation of the advice. Canteens were often exempt. The move follows the publication of Sage( Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) evidence and a recent report from the Welsh Government’s Technical Advisory Group warning that coronavirus spreads more easily in schools than previously thought.
Latest data from Public Health Wales last week showed more than half of all schools have had at least one case of coronavirus. The Welsh Government is also actively considering mass testing in schools.
Thousands of pupils and hundreds of staff have had to self-isolate since term began and some schools have had to close because so many are affected. Most recently, 13 schools in Ceredigion and Pembrokshire have been closed because of a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.
For primary schools, the updated guidance says the advice remains unchanged as risk of transmission is lower: “The introduction of the use of face coverings for pupils in the foundation or primary phase is not recommended as the benefits in this group are unlikely to outweigh the disadvantages, particularly given the relatively low rates of transmission in these age groups.”
It also conceded that there are also some risks from the use of masks in any schools: “There are some risks and harms of face coverings to be considered, including the potential for inadvertent virus spread when putting on or taking off, the need for supply, safe wearing, storage and disposal, and the risk of stigmatisation or bullying of those with medical exemptions, especially neurodiverse students, problems for those who lip-read, and adverse effects on learning, emotional engagement and communication of the masking of facial features.”
Ms Williams said: “It is vital that young people, parents, adults and the workforce feel confident that all measures are being taken to ensure the educational environments are as safe as possible.
“We have been clear that we will keep every policy under review and will continue to follow scientific advice. The policy we are announcing today does just that. The new guidance is simple to follow, easier to administer and ensures that there is a consistent policy across Wales.
“We have already announced funding of £2.3m to support the purchasing of face coverings in secondary schools and colleges. Social distancing and washing hands remain the most important measures that everyone in Wales must continue to take.
“Wearing face coverings can complement these measures, ensuring we are doing everything we can to keep ourselves and others safe. Everyone in Wales has an important part to play in helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep each other safe. This includes staying out of each other’s homes, except in very limited circumstances, limiting how many different people we meet, maintaining social distancing and washing hands regularly.
“We will be working with schools and colleges to help reinforce the messages to pupils, parents and staff on the importance of taking responsibility to help save lives and protect our NHS.”
Pupils and staff can still be exempt from wearing masks on medical grounds.
A Welsh Government spokeswoman said the new guidance should be implemented in the coming weeks: “We understand that schools will need sufficient time to communicate these changes to staff, parents and pupils. However, our expectation is that these changes will be implemented as quickly as possible over the coming weeks.”
The new guidance is simple to follow, easier to administer and ensures that there is a consistent policy across Wales Education Minster Kirsty Williams