Face masks are now compulsory for most secondary pupils on school buses in Somerset
Secondary school pupils in Somerset are being told they have to start wearing face masks on school transport.
Last updated 10th Nov 2020
If they're not exempt, and don't have one, they'll be given a mask by the driver.
Somerset County Council say pupils who then don't wear a mask will be subject to disciplinary action.
A council spokesperson said: "Pupils are already required to wear face coverings in communal areas in secondary schools and this approach is being extended to all vehicles operating home to school transport.
"These measures are to help combat the spread of Covid-19 in our schools and communities. Until now the wearing of face coverings on home to school transport has been left to the discretion of parents – with immediate effect any pupil of secondary school age who is not wearing a face covering when boarding the school transport will be asked to put one on.
"If they do not have a face covering with them, they will be offered one by the driver. Failure to comply with a request to wear a face covering will be reported to the pupil’s school who will the address the matter through the appropriate disciplinary procedures.
“Our priority is to make school transport as safe as possible and wearing a face covering on the journey is an important part of that, reducing the potential spread of the virus to children, drivers, school staff and family members.
“We know some children and young people are exempt from wear coverings and that will not change. But the vast majority of pupils are not, and just as they are required to wear face coverings in school communal areas, they must now do so on their school transport.”
You can find the latest Government guidance on face coverings here.