Pupils’ face masks in classroom ‘scrapped in just three weeks’
PUPILS will be able to remove their face masks in class in three weeks’ time under proposals to ditch one of the most controversial coronavirus restrictions.
Secondary pupils have had to wear face coverings at all times since returning after the Easter holidays last year. It was part of a raft of measures to curb the spread of the virus while keeping schools open.
Now experts are set to advise Ministers that it is safe to let pupils ditch masks during lessons.
Sources have told The Scottish Mail on Sunday they will be scrapped in three weeks’ time.
Experts, including national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch, last week signalled support for the long-awaited development.
Professor Leitch said on Friday the ‘day is coming’ when masks in schools will be withdrawn.
Now one source has disclosed that unless there is an unexpected development, masks will be scrapped ‘as soon as possible’. The insider said: ‘It’s unlikely to be put off for more than three weeks.
‘There is political pressure on the Government and it is hard to see how they can maintain the requirement to wear face coverings in class for any more than that. There is a real desire to remove that requirement as soon as possible.’
The insider added: ‘Experts may take the view that in crowded areas they’d be encouraging face coverings... however, it looks like they will remove the requirement to wear them in class.
‘The real decision is when it happens and whether they go gradually or remove all mitigations at once.’
Previous plans to relax the use of masks in schools after the summer holidays were delayed – first while vaccination was rolled out, then amid the rise of Omicron.
Pressure on Scottish Ministers intensified when the requirement to wear masks in English classrooms was dropped last Thursday.
Opponents argue masks harm learning and children have been subjected to stricter rules than the rest of society, but supporters say they are vital to prevent the spread of the virus.
Pupils have endured almost two years of unprecedented disruption, with blanket closure of schools and exams cancelled. Some youngsters have suffered repeated bouts of isolation.
Scrapping masks in class would be seen as a significant step towards normality. It could also pave the way for the return of assemblies, parents’ evenings and sports days.
Infections expert Dr Christine Tait-Burkhard said she believed masks in schools could be scrapped in ‘early to mid-February’.
Meanwhile, Margaret Wilson, chair of the National Parent Forum of Scotland, told the Scottish parliament’s education committee the forum did not support the continued use of face masks in schools.
Teachers, however, remain wary. A spokesman for the EIS union said: ‘The mitigations in place are intended to help make our schools safe places to learn and to work.
‘Any review is entirely dependent on the level of Covid infections.’
Scottish Tory education spokesman Oliver Mundell said: ‘Face masks are hugely disruptive to pupils’ learning experience and the SNP should be looking to remove this restriction as soon as possible.’
Scotland yesterday recorded 30 more coronavirus deaths – the highest daily toll since last September – as well as 6,768 new infections.
‘There’s a real desire to remove the requirement’