Face masks to be worn in NI school corridors
Updated guidance says pupils in secondary school will have to wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas.
Last updated 26th Aug 2020
Post-primary pupils and teachers in Northern Ireland will be asked to wear face coverings in corridors and other communal areas from August 31.
Education Minister, Peter Weir announcement last night (Tuesday) brings Northern Ireland in line with other parts of the UK.
In Scotland secondary pupils and staff are required to wear face coverings in schools there from the end of August.
Children in Post–Primary will have to wear masks while moving around communal areas but aren’t required to wear them in the classroom.
Primary school students aged five-years-old and above are also required to wear face masks on school transport.
The Government in England has also changed in stance on face coverings.
On Tuesday evening Boris Johnston declared that secondary schools in regions where local lockdowns were in place, such as parts of Greater Manchester, the wearing of face coverings for pupils would be made mandatory in communal areas where social distancing was difficult.
This does not include classrooms and does not apply to primary-aged pupils.
In all other parts of England, it will be up to headteachers to decide whether masks are required.
In NI Some P7 pupils and sixth formers returned to the classroom on Monday, as schools across the country introduced a phased return to the classroom.
Some year groups returned to school for the first time since lockdown began in March amid trepidation from some parents and teachers.
Mr Weir said the updated guidance is to limit the spread of coronavirus and that his key priority was that pupils returned to classrooms on a full-time basis as soon as it is safe to do so.
Following further advice which I have received today from the chief medical officer (Dr Michael McBride) and the chief scientific adviser (Professor Ian Young), I am recommending that pupils and teachers wear a face covering in corridors and other communal areas of post-primary schools from next week when schools return full-time.''
He added that the new regulations are in line with public health advice, which states the use of face coverings provides some benefits.
The DUP minister said it was not a replacement for frequent hand washing, social distancing where possible, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and regular cleaning of surfaces he continued:
It is also important to remember that evidence suggests that the risk of transmission in schools is relatively low compared to some other settings.
“In relation to communal areas in schools, the guidance already strongly encourages face coverings for activities that entail large numbers of staff or pupils within an enclosed space where social distancing is not possible.''
Face coverings are not recommended as being compulsory for routine use in education settings. However, staff and pupils may wish to use them during the routine school day, and this is acceptable, Minister Weir added.
Sinn Fein's former education minister John O'Dowd has said the decision to recommend the wearing of face coverings in school settings should have been introduced with immediate effect.
He added: This latest move by the minister is yet another example of lack of clear decision-making and guidance from the education minister which has caused confusion for parents, teachers and students.''