Face masks no longer required in classrooms in England from 17 May

10 May 2021, 17:46 | Updated: 10 May 2021, 19:20

Face masks have been worn in classrooms in England since March
Face masks have been worn in classrooms in England since March. Picture: PA

By Patrick Grafton-Green

Secondary school pupils in England will no longer be required to wear face masks in class from next week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the decision to remove the requirement as he updated the country on which coronavirus restrictions will be lifted from May 17.

He told a Downing Street press conference on Monday evening: "We will no longer require face coverings in classrooms, or for students in communal areas, in secondary schools and colleges."

READ MORE: PM confirms Covid restrictions to be lifted on May 17 - all you need to know

READ MORE: Covid alert level lowered from four to three

It is hoped the move will improve interaction between teachers and students, and ensure the clearest possible communication to support learning.

Concerns have been raised about face coverings disrupting pupils' learning and wellbeing since they were introduced in March.

However, union leaders and scientists have called for them to remain in classrooms beyond next week to ensure pupils, staff, parents and the community are not put at risk of infection.

The PM confirms that people can 'make their own choices' about hugging on May 17th

All other protective measures, such as ventilation and social distancing where possible, will remain in schools.

Regular rapid testing will also continue to find asymptomatic cases when they occur.

Staff are not required to wear face coverings in the classroom, but they should continue to wear them in communal areas, such as the staff room, where social distancing may not be possible.

Last week, five unions representing teachers and support staff - as well as scientists and parents - wrote to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson urging him to keep masks in place until at least June 21.

Meanwhile, school leaders unions' have called on ministers to set out the evidence behind any relaxation of rules to address concerns about infection risk.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), accused Mr Johnson of ignoring scientific advice as he warned "we are not out of the woods yet".

He said: "Schools and colleges are doing a very good job of keeping students and staff safe and they should be permitted to retain mask wearing in the classroom if they think it necessary for reasons such as a rise in local infection rates. This would be an entirely reasonable and responsible decision."

Govt scientist's instant reaction to PM's lockdown easing

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: "It is obviously better for communication and learning if masks aren't required in classrooms, but any decision to this effect must follow the scientific advice, and it is very worrying that the Government's decision appears to contradict the published evidence."

But Professor John Simpson, head of Public Health Advice, Guidance and Expertise Pillar (PHAGE) at Public Health England, said: "Scientific studies show that Covid-19 transmission in schools remains low. This evidence has been reviewed alongside criteria for the wider easing of restrictions.

"It's important to strike a balance between Covid-19 protection and student wellbeing and the guidance on face coverings for secondary school pupils has been kept under constant review.

"Existing control measures in schools including good ventilation, handwashing, social distancing where possible and twice weekly testing remain hugely important."

Mr Williamson said: "Over the past year we have always put the wellbeing of pupils and staff first, and this step is now the right one, as vaccinations protect the most vulnerable in society and we turn our attention to building back better from the pandemic.

"Testing in schools and colleges continues to be important, so I urge all students, families and teachers to keep testing themselves twice weekly, to help reduce the risk of transmission."

Mr Johnson also announced that schools will be able "to organise trips with overnight stays", but the Department for Education is recommending that schools and colleges do not plan for international visits to take place before the start of the next academic year.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Amber Rudd and Mary Beard have both been nominated to the Garrick Club

Amber Rudd and Mary Beard among seven women nominated for membership of all-male Garrick Club

Exclusive
Anneliese Dodds said Labour would make sure local people have 'skin in the game' with tackling inequality

'Rebuild has to start from ground up,' Labour's Anneliese Dodds says, and 'local people must have skin in the game'

Mohamed Mansour has been awarded a knighthood

Conservatives accused of 'cronyism' after donor who gave £5 million awarded knighthood in surprise honours list

Exclusive
Justin Welby recalled his experience of coping with his father's drinking as a teenager.

‘It was utterly isolating’: Archbishop of Canterbury recalls harrowing experience of growing up with his alcoholic father

More than 2 million drivers are set to hit the road on Good Friday.

Easter Carmageddon: Over two million drivers to hit the road on Good Friday after Storm Nelson travel chaos

Michael Gove has slammed the water firm as a 'disgrace'.

Thames Water bosses branded a ‘disgrace’ as Michael Gove tells firm ‘not to punish consumers’ for its failings

South Africa Bus Crash

Girl, 8, the sole survivor as 45 die in bus crash off South Africa bridge

A spokesman has denied reports the sausage dog could be banned.

The wurst news is over: Germany denies claims of sausage dog ban

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza

Greece Confidence Vote

Greece’s government survives no-confidence motion called over rail disaster

A council has had to apologise following the incident.

Fury as parents offered version of school class photo without complex needs pupils

Conjoined twin who shot to fame with sister on The Oprah Winfrey Show marries army veteran in private ceremony

Conjoined twin who shot to fame with sister on The Oprah Winfrey Show marries army veteran in private ceremony

Israel Palestinians UN Security Council

Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto

Firefighters at the scene of a bus crash in Limpopo

Bus falls from bridge in South Africa and erupts into flames, killing at least 45 and leaving child, 8, as lone survivor

Music-Green Day UN

Green Day to headline UN-backed global climate concert

Exclusive
Starmer has vowed to resurrect Boris Johnson's 'Levelling Up' policy

Failure to ‘level up’ Britain would be ‘catastrophic’, Wes Streeting admits, as Starmer vows to resurrect Johnson policy