SCHOOLS and local authorities in Wales will be required to decide for themselves if face coverings should be worn by pupils in communal areas and on school transport, the Welsh Government has said today.

Today statement does not mandate the wearing of face masks in secondary schools but rather asks schools to carry out risk assessments to decide what is best for them.

This week, the Welsh Government's Technical Advisory Group was asked to look at the latest evidence and recommendations to schools after new advice from the World Health Organisation.

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

And, in a u-turn, the UK Government put an “extra precautionary measure” in place with the updated guidance for schools in England – issued on Tuesday evening – which says face coverings should be worn in communal areas of schools in local lockdown areas.

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.

Today, the Technical Advisory Group updated its advice, but did not go so far as to mandate the wearing of face coverings.

It asks schools and colleagues to "undertake risk assessments" of their buildings, and if face coverings are to be worn, to organise appropriate supply, replacement and disposal, before pupils return to schools from September 1.

The advice reads: "CMO (Chief Medical Officer) advice currently recommends, but does not mandate, face coverings to be used in a risk assessed way in a range of settings where other physical controls cannot be maintained. It is recommended that all secondary education settings undertake a risk assessment of the school estate, and local authorities, working with schools, settings and transport operators as necessary, should undertake a risk assessment for dedicated school transport, using criteria set out in the paragraphs below, to identify risk areas where face coverings might need to be added to schools’ covid security planning.

"The risk assessment should identify the criteria used for the decision to start and to stop the use of

face coverings.

"Risk assessment considerations to promote the overall best interests of children, young people and staff.

"It is recommended that schools risk assess any specific settings where other controls, such as adequate distancing, cannot be maintained. Plans should take into account the overall balance of risks and benefits to all in the setting, including individuals with additional needs or disabilities.

"It is advised that a whole school approach is used in order that any decision to use face coverings is based on an explicit balance of risks and benefits, to respond to local needs and identified risks. To promote adherence and

confidence it will be important to engage with staff, students and families and other stakeholders, to ensure plans promote sensitive, appropriate supply, replacement and disposal."

Health Minister Vaughan Gething and Minister for Education Kirsty Williams made a joint statement following the advice.

They said: "It is vital children and young people, parents and the education workforce feel confident that all measures are being taken to protect them as they return to schools and colleges.

"Welsh Government has already issued operational guidance to schools and colleges, and schools have worked hard to implement safety measures. The opportunity for pupils to attend school before the end of the summer term to check in, catch up and prepare allowed schools to test these measures.

"Today we publish the additional advice from the Technical Advisory Group following its review of the use of face coverings in schools.

"It builds on recent publications from the UK Chief Medical Officers and Deputy Chief Medical Officers and the World Health Organisation.

"We are advised that while face coverings are likely to be of little value in children under the age of 11 years, the rates of infection and transmission increase after from the age of 11 onwards and could have a role in risk mitigation.

"The current advice from the Chief Medical Officer for Wales is that face coverings are recommended for all members of the public over 11 years in indoor settings in which social distancing cannot be maintained, including schools and school transport.

"We will amend our operational guidance for schools and FE to require settings and local authorities to undertake risk assessments of their estates to determine if face coverings should be recommended for their staff and young people in communal areas. This will also include school and college transport.

"As part of the risk assessment we recommend that staff, students, families and unions are engaged. Social distancing is still required in the class room, so face to face teaching without coverings can continue. The overall interests of the young person must be given priority in these assessments and there must be no risk of exclusion from transport to school. Face coverings may need to be provided to young people who don’t have them, if they are recommended locally.

"At present, the incidence of coronavirus in the community is low, but we expect to see clusters of cases, which may require additional local control measures. In addition to the support provided and advice by our Test Trace Protect service these should be taken in accordance with our recently published Coronavirus Control Plan.

"This guidance will remain under review as the pandemic continues and may change if community prevalence changes across Wales in the future.

The advice is available in full at: https://gov.wales/technical-advisory-group-face-coverings-children-and-young-people-education-settings