Face coverings in schools in Wales to be considered

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said the issue was being considered in the wake of new advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Mr Gething, speaking at the Welsh Government weekly briefing on Tuesday, said the decision should be announced tomorrow as schools in Wales are preparing for pupils to return from September 1.

He said: "In light of the update to the World Health Organisation advice on face coverings for children over 12 and the decision by the Scottish Government to introduce wider face covering wearing in schools, I have asked the children and schools advisory group of our Scientific Advisory Group to consider the current guidance here in Wales.

"They will look at any additional risks and benefits to children, young people and staff from the wearing of face coverings in a school setting. We are of course aware that Scotland have revised their guidance on the use of face coverings in secondary schools, in school corridors and on school transport."

Mr Gething said the advisory group would revisit the evidence and provide him with further advice later today.

He added: “In doing so it’s important that we take decisions that are proportionate, that are owned and appropriate to their settings and local populations."

"Our background rate is currently low so we must consider the balance of harm, especially for children and young people with additional needs. From the emerging evidence it is very clear that adults and background community transmission rates play a significant role in school outbreaks, so we have to observe the basic principal that social distancing, effective control measures, such as staggered starts, smaller groups and reduced mixing, together with of course good hygiene to help control Covid-19."

He added that it was important to reflect that transmission rates were lower now than when schools returned briefly earlier this summer.

It comes as the Scottish Government announced that secondary school pupils will have to wear face coverings in corridors, communal areas and school buses from Monday.

The World Health Organisation's advice suggests adults and children aged 12 and over should wear a mask, particularly when they cannot guarantee at least a one-metre distance from others and there is widespread transmission in the area.

The WHO and UN children's agency Unicef suggested that face shields may be an alternative in situations such as speech classes where the teacher and pupils need to see each other's mouths.

Meanwhile, a study suggested wearing face masks may have a negative effect on attitudes towards social distancing, leading people to feel comfortable sitting or standing closer to others

The research, by a team of behavioural scientists at Warwick Business School, also indicates people would keep a smaller distance from others wearing masks.

The scientists say their findings could make it difficult to re-establish social-distancing measures if they are needed to help control the virus in the event of a second wave of cases.

But pupils wearing masks is an option that should be kept under review, a union has said, despite the Education Secretary insisting the measure is not needed as schools in England prepare to reopen.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said as evidence continues to emerge, Westminster should review its guidance.

ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton told the Daily Telegraph: "We would expect the Government in Westminster to review its guidance on the use of face coverings in schools - which currently says they are not required - in light of the WHO guidance and the consultation taking place in Scotland.

"The evidence is clearly evolving on this issue and it is important that it is kept under review and that clear direction is provided to schools."

But Professor Russell Viner, a member of the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said there was concern about younger children wearing face coverings.

He told BBC2's Newsnight: "The evidence on masks is very unclear. And, actually, I think that's in one sense, potentially going beyond the evidence we have.

"There are lots of concerns about mask wearing for children, particularly younger children. Because they touch their face, they are constantly worried about the mask, it actually could, potentially. spread the virus more.

"I think for young children it (would be) clear it is not a good idea. For teenagers, again, I think, we don't have the evidence this is useful."

On Monday, a Number 10 spokesman said there were "no plans" to review the guidance on face coverings in schools.

He added: "We are conscious of the fact that it would obstruct communication between teachers and pupils."

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", while Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said measures being adopted by schools to limit the spread of coronavirus meant masks were not required.