Face masks to become mandatory on Wiltshire school transport
The rules will change from Monday (7th December)
A letter's been sent out to parents whose children use Wiltshire Council's dedicated school and college transport, to inform them of the latest advice.
Up until now, it's been 'recommended' that students over the age of 11 wear a face covering on buses, coaches and taxis to classes.
From Monday (7th December), that will become mandatory, with the only exceptions for those who exempt on medical grounds.
Wiltshire Council say it's to ensure students have 'as safe a journey as possible' during Covid-19 restrictions.
Face coverings were already mandatory for children using public transport.
The letter asks parents to talk to their children about the rule change:
"(We) would be grateful if you could impress upon your child the importance of wearing face coverings for their own safety as well as other students and the driver, and that they should be worn at all times whilst travelling on a bus, coach or taxi to and from school. We would also ask you to provide your child with a spare face covering that they can carry in their bag in case their normal covering gets mislaid."
'THREE STRIKES' POLICY
Wiltshire Council will be bringing in a policy that could ban students from school transport if they're not complying with the rules.
They've said a 'three strikes' system will be used if a student is found to not be wearing a face covering without a valid exemption.
After the third incident, they'll be refused travel on school transport for 2 weeks.
HOW TO PROVE EXEMPTIONS
If your child is exempt from wearing a face covering and uses dedicated school buses, contact the school or college office.
They've been given Wiltshire Council exemption cards that can be shown to drivers, alongside their bus pass.
If your child attends a SEND school, they won't need an exemption card.