Face masks are not mandatory for primary school students; Department of Education issues new guidelines in Ireland
DUBLIN: Primary school students will not be required to wear face masks when they return to school in the coming weeks, according to new Department of Education guidelines. The new directive applies to all primary school students, including those who have breathing difficulties or special needs.
Some public health experts pushed for making face covering mandatory for children, but the department confirmed that it is not recommended. Masks have been recommended for school staff, especially in situations when maintaining social distance is difficult.
According to the COVID-19 response plan for the safe and sustainable operation of primary and special schools, students and staff must observe all other measures, such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, adequate ventilation, and contact minimising.
Schools must provide medical-grade masks
The new guidance states that “it is known that children will have a lower tolerance and ability to use the face covering properly, and use of face coverings by teachers and staff caring for very young children may cause undue stress to the children”.
Schools must also provide medical-grade masks in the EN14683 category to all special needs assistants and teachers in special schools and special classes, as well as those staff who must be in close contact with students, including school bus escorts.
The 45-page document, released on Wednesday night, makes no significant changes to the regulations in effect during the previous school year.
The following are the main provisions:
● A lead Covid representative will be assigned to each school to oversee workplace protocols
● Signage and social distancing, which were implemented last year during the first day of school, will be used again
● Schools are advised to take necessary precautions to reduce COVID-19 spread, including requesting that students not attend school if they have symptoms
● It is suggested to reduce the interaction between students where possible
● Staff are advised to maintain a physical distance of 2m between each other whenever possible
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