Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says schools face mask advice might change

Boris Johnson has hinted at a U-turn on guidance that face-coverings do not need to be worn by pupils in English schools, saying: “If we need to change the advice then of course we will.”

The comment came as the prime minister came under growing pressure to mandate the use of masks when schools return next week, after Scotland announced its pupils will wear face-coverings in communal areas from Monday.

Headteachers are urging Westminster to review its policy, while the Welsh government has asked its scientific advisers to “revisit the evidence” today.

Students in England and Wales are set to resume lessons on Tuesday but the government’s advice does not include the use of face masks, despite their being mandatory in other settings.

Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) general secretary Geoff Barton said it would be “prudent” for the government to rethink its advice in the light of the Scottish decision and recent guidance from the World Health Organisation that children aged over 12 should wear masks.

“We have two concerns,” said Mr Barton. “First, parents, pupils and staff will be anxious about the situation and need reassurance from the government about the public health basis for its policy over face coverings in England, rather than it being left entirely to schools to explain the government’s rationale.

“And, second, if there is going to be any U-turn by the government that it does this sooner rather than later because the start of the new term is imminent.”

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said: “We have to stay abreast of the science, so when the World Health Organisation says that children over 12 should wear masks in communal areas at school, that ought to be listened to,” he said.

“The WHO also recommends that staff over 60 or otherwise vulnerable should be wearing a medical grade mask, and the government should be looking at the science on that as well.”

On Monday, a Number 10 spokesman said there were “no plans” to review the guidance on face coverings in schools, telling reporters: “We are conscious of the fact that it would obstruct communication between teachers and pupils.”

But asked during a visit to a Devon shipyard today why the UK government was ignoring WHO advice, Mr Johnson said: “On the issue of whether or not to wear masks in some contexts – you know, we’ll look at the the changing medical evidence as we go on.

“If we need to change the advice then of course we will.”

He added: “The overwhelming priority is to get all pupils into school.

“And I think that the schools, the teachers, they’ve all done a fantastic job of getting ready and the risk to children’s health, the risk to children’s wellbeing from not being in school is far greater than the risk from Covid.

“If there are things we have to do to vary the advice on medical grounds, we will, of course, do that.

“But as the chief medical officer, all our scientific advisers, have said, schools are safe.”

Scotland’s education secretary John Swinney confirmed today that face coverings must be worn by staff and pupils when moving around secondary schools in Scotland, while all children over five should use them on school transport. Masks will not be required in classrooms and Mr Swinney stressed that pupils will not be excluded from school if they do not wear a face covering.

“There is increasing evidence that face coverings can provide some protection for the wearer as well as those around them,” he said.

“We also know that some pupils have found it very difficult to physically distance when moving around school, which could increase the risk of transmission of the virus. And on school transport, as on public transport, there can be mixing between different age groups.

“We want to continue to protect what we have achieved in suppressing the virus and re-opening schools, and to do the best for children in schools.”

Later, Welsh health secretary Vaughan Gething announced a review of guidance by the Cardiff executive’s scientific advisory group.

“They will look at any additional risks and benefits to children, young people and staff from the wearing of face coverings in the school setting,” he said. “Our technical advisors are revisiting the evidence and will provide us with further advice later today. In doing so, it is important that we take decisions that are proportionate, that are owned and that are appropriate to their setting and local population.”

Meanwhile, sources close to Sadiq Khan said the London mayor is “moving towards” a position that teenagers should wear masks in schools where they cannot socially distance.

A source told the PA news agency that Mr Khan is consulting with health experts to ensure that London is following the most up-to-date advice and has asked his team to speak with colleagues in Scotland ahead of children returning to schools in the capital on Tuesday.

Labour’s shadow education secretary Kate Green said: “There is a growing body of evidence that the use of face-masks in communal areas in secondary schools helps protect students and staff and drive down transmission.

“The prime minister must listen to this evidence and act quickly to give certainty to parents and teachers who are just days away from schools reopening.

“The last thing concerned parents and pupils need is another last minute U-turn from this government that throws school plans into chaos.”

Staff and pupils at 52 schools run by the Oasis Academy chain will be wearing masks when they reopen, founder Steve Chalke said.

He told the BBC News channel face coverings will be considered part of the uniform adding that “we believe this makes our schools safer than they would otherwise be”.

Mr Johnson’s comment came just hours after business secretary Alok Sharma dug in his heels on the advice, telling Sky News: “PHE (Public Health England) do not recommend the wearing of face masks in schools … there is no current plan to review that particular guidance.”

Teachers’ unions have been arguing that face masks should be recommended in schools since at least July. The National Education Union this week accused ministers of being “negligent in the extreme” over the issue.

Unison, Britain’s largest trade union which represents a number of non-teaching staff in schools, also today reiterated its call for adults working in schools to be allowed to wear masks.

England’s deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries has said the evidence on whether children over 12 should wear masks in schools was “not strong”.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has meanwhile argued that other measures being adopted by schools to limit the spread of coronavirus meant coverings were not necessary.

Schools have been advised to keep students in year-group “bubbles” where they do not interact with other children, and reorganise classrooms for social distancing. Local health teams are expected to intervene in schools where outbreaks are detected, including potentially with mass testings or localised closures.

Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk