Face masks to be made compulsory in all schools in Wales

Face masks are set to be made compulsory in secondary schools and colleges across Wales.

Pupils, teachers and staff will be expected to wear face masks in all areas outside the classroom, including on school transport.

All visitors to schools and colleges, including parents dropping off and picking up their children, will also be expected to wear a face mask.

This comes after Welsh Government updated its guidance on the issue, having previously said it was up to local authorities and the schools themselves to determine their own policy regarding face masks.

Welsh Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: “It is vital that young people, parents, adults and the workforce feel confident that all measures are being taken to ensure the educational environments are as safe as possible.

“We have been clear that we will keep every policy under review and will continue to follow scientific advice.”

Ms Williams added: “The new guidance is simple to follow, easier to administer and ensures that there is a consistent policy across Wales.

“We have already announced funding of £2.3m to support the purchasing of face coverings in secondary schools and colleges.”

Welsh Government’s policy for wearing face masks inside the classroom remain the same.

While Welsh Government has encouraged the use of face masks in classrooms, it remains up to schools and local authorities to determine whether or not to implement the rule.

A Welsh Government statement said: “In classrooms where contact groups exist and other control measures are in place, the marginal benefit that may be gained by the use of face coverings has to be balanced with the likely negative impact on the learning experience, including hearing and social communication.

“Prevention should be the primary aim of all control measures and experience to date suggests that prevention measures have been well understood and widely implemented across our schools and colleges.”

Plaid Cymru’s shadow education minister, Sian Gwenllian, said the new measures are “overdue” and called for further safety measures to be introduced, including “mass testing schemes and proper ventilation”.