Covid-19 face masks could become mandatory in UK schools again

Coronavirus latest - Nadhim Zahawi has said face masks could be made mandatory again in schools under the Government’s Covid contingency plans.

But the newly appointed Education Secretary effectively ruled out a return to the controversial bubble system, that saw dozens – or even hundreds – of pupils sent home after a single positive test.

“My priority is to protect education and keep schools open,” the minister told Sky News

“We have got a contingency plan as you would expect me to… it contains wearing masks, absolutely.”

But Mr Zahawi said he was reluctant to reimpose the bubble system and said: “I don’t want to return to bubbles because actually you saw the fall off in attendance which really does harm mental wellbeing, mental health of children.

“I don’t want to return to that. My priority is to protect education and keeps schools open and children at school.”

Bubbles were first introduced at the end of 2020, to help schools reopen after months of home schooling.

Schools decided how to allocate bubbles, which could affect a single class or a whole year group, to help contain the spread of Covid.

If one pupil or staff member in a set group tested positive for Covid, all the other members of the group were sent home to self-isolate – something that severely hampered school attendance.

But despite the Education Secretary’s opposition to bubbles, several schools have already made the decision to re-implement the Covid prevention measure.

The Vale Academy in Brigg, North Lincolnshire, confirmed that year groups were being kept in separate bubbles and unable to mix at lunch or break times.

Pupils are also required to wear masks on buses and in communal areas.

According to the latest available data, North Lincolnshire had the second highest number of Covid cases per 100,000 of the population in England.

In the seven days to 1 October, North Lincolnshire had 747 cases per 100,000 people.

Schools in the capital have also reintroduced bubbles, including a school in Haringey and Walhamstow.

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