FACE coverings in secondary school and college classrooms could be scrapped when the next phase of the Government’s Coronavirus lockdown is enforced, county education chiefs have revealed.
Teenagers across the county will be expected to continue wearing face masks when students return after the Easter break on Monday (April 19).
Face coverings should continue to be worn by staff and pupils when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors and communal areas and during activities where social distancing cannot easily be maintained.
Sarah Wilkins, director of Education and Early Help at Worcestershire Children First, said: “This ongoing advice, together with protective measures already in place such as regular hand-washing and ventilation, will help to reduce transmission.
“And, as twice weekly rapid testing is established and becomes routine for pupils and parents, we can anticipate a further reduction in transmission and our children can continue their education in the classroom.
“We acknowledge some children and young people are exempt from wearing face coverings and we expect schools to continue to be sensitive to those needs.”
The requirement for face coverings to be worn by pupils in year 7 and above when travelling on public transport and dedicated school transport remains unchanged.
It is expected face coverings will no longer be required to be worn in classrooms, or by students in other communal areas, at Step 3 of the roadmap, which will be no earlier than Monday, May 17.
