The long-awaited return of children to the classroom last month did not lead to a surge in Covid infections, and the “vast majority” of positive test results in schools are likely to be false, according to reports. But the Department for Education (DfE), following a review, has not changed its guidance about secondary school pupils in England being advised to wear face masks in classrooms, as well as in communal areas. The Telegraph has the story.
Face masks in the classroom are to stay in place after the Easter holidays, the Government has announced, despite low Covid rates among school pupils.
Secondary students should continue to wear masks when they return to school for the summer term, in both lessons and corridors, as a “precautionary measure”, officials at the DfE said.
They explained that the policy will now be dropped as part of stage three of the roadmap out of restrictions, which will happen no earlier than May 17th.
Ministers have been accused of “betraying” children by continuing to insist on face masks in the classroom during the summer term, given the “serious harms” that they are potentially causing.
The UsForThem organisation, which campaigns against intrusive social distancing and mask-wearing measures in schools, is consulting its lawyers about this latest announcement.
Molly Kingsley, the co-founder of the group, has said: “It’s really disappointing that this measure remains in place for frankly a day longer given that there seems to have been no assessment of the harms it causes.”
We believe that the detriment to children of this measure is potentially serious and ongoing. It was not clear which evidence the introduction of this measure was based on, nor what evidence is that supports it still being in place.
This measure is manifestly not in the best interests of children. We were told it was a temporary measure, and it is another example of the Government moving the goalposts and yet another betrayal of children.
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