LONDON: Children in secondary schools in England will be asked to wear face coverings when they return after the Christmas break next week to tackle a surge in cases. omicron type of COVID-19, Education Secretary Nadeem zhavi Said on Sunday.
“We want to maximize the number of children in school and college for the time being,” he said in an article in the Sunday Telegraph.
“One of the additional, temporary measures that will help to achieve this” omicron surge Wearing of face coverings is being recommended in secondary school classrooms and teaching spaces for the coming weeks – although not for longer than necessary.”
England was the only one of four UK nations not to recommend a face covering before in the classroom.
With daily infection numbers at record highs and people testing positive in isolation for at least seven days, schools and other public services are facing disruption from staff shortages.
The government has asked public sector managers to prepare for a worst-case scenario with 25% of employees absent in the coming weeks.
Zahvi said some distance learning would be necessary, which would have to be self-isolated considering the number of students and teachers.
But he added that face-to-face teaching will continue to be the expected norm and exams will go ahead as planned this month.
“We want to maximize the number of children in school and college for the time being,” he said in an article in the Sunday Telegraph.
“One of the additional, temporary measures that will help to achieve this” omicron surge Wearing of face coverings is being recommended in secondary school classrooms and teaching spaces for the coming weeks – although not for longer than necessary.”
England was the only one of four UK nations not to recommend a face covering before in the classroom.
With daily infection numbers at record highs and people testing positive in isolation for at least seven days, schools and other public services are facing disruption from staff shortages.
The government has asked public sector managers to prepare for a worst-case scenario with 25% of employees absent in the coming weeks.
Zahvi said some distance learning would be necessary, which would have to be self-isolated considering the number of students and teachers.
But he added that face-to-face teaching will continue to be the expected norm and exams will go ahead as planned this month.
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