Ministers in U-turn over face coverings in schools
Move follows growing pressure from unions
THE GOVERNMENT made a Uturn on its policy on face coverings in schools late yesterday, following growing calls from unions for it to change its guidance.
The Department of Education’s announcement came hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted that guidance which says face coverings are not required for students in England’s schools could be changed.
In a statement it said: “Nationwide, while the Government is not recommending face coverings are necessary, schools will have the discretion to require face coverings in communal areas if they believe that is right in their particular circumstances.”
It said the change related to staff and children in Year 7 or above in England.
The U-turn cames after the World Health Organisation (WHO) published a new statement on August 21 on when children should wear face coverings, advising that “children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults, in particular when they cannot guarantee at least a 1-metre distance from others and there is widespread transmission in the area.”
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson said: “Our priority is to get children back to school safely.
“At each stage we have listened to the latest medical and scientific advice.
“We have therefore decided to follow the World Health Organisation’s new advice.”
He added that in areas like Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees children in year 7 and above should wear face coverings in communal spaces.
Earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters that the Government will “look at the changing medical evidence as we go on”, adding: “If we need to change the advice then of course we will.”
Asked why Ministers were ignoring WHO advice that children aged over 12 should wear masks, he said: “The overwhelming priority is to get all pupils into school. And I think that the schools, the teachers, they’ve all done a fantastic job of getting ready and the risk to children’s health, the risk to children’s wellbeing from not being in school, is far greater than the risk from Covid.
“If there are things we have to do to vary the advice on medical grounds, we will, of course, do that. But as the chief medical officer, all our scientific advisers, have said, schools are safe.”
Before the change in policy, Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green said there was a “growing body of evidence” that face coverings in communal areas would protect students and drive down transmission.
“The Prime Minister must listen to this evidence and act quickly to give certainty to parents and teachers who are just days away from schools reopening,” she said.
The overwhelming priority is to get all pupils into schools. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.