Letter from Dr Reid re Face Coverings

Dear Parent/Guardian

You will have heard in the media that the Minister for Education has updated his guidance on the wearing of face coverings in schools. In the guidance issued on 13 August 2020 it stated clearly that pupils would not be required to wear face coverings in school. The Chief Medical Officer has reviewed this policy and it will now be recommended that pupils in Larne High School wear face coverings in communal areas of the school. This will include areas such as the canteen while queuing for food, but obviously not once the food has been taken to the table. I would be grateful if you could ensure that your child has an appropriate face covering with them in school from 1 September 2020. Please also remember that face coverings with offensive or sectarian words and symbols are not permitted in school. I am copying Minister Weir’s statement below for your information.

Yours sincerely

Stephen Reid

Principal

“Following further advice which I have received today from the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser, I am recommending that pupils and teachers wear a face covering in corridors and other communal areas of post-primary schools from next week when schools return full-time. This updates the existing guidance on the use of face coverings in educational settings.

“The current public health advice is that the use of face coverings provides some benefits, however, it is not a replacement for frequent hand washing, social distancing where possible, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and regular cleaning of surfaces. It is also important to remember that evidence suggests that the risk of transmission in schools is relatively low compared to some other settings.

“My existing guidance on the reopening of schools already deals with the use of face coverings. In terms of school transport, the advice remains the same, that we strongly recommend that all pupils wear a face covering on all dedicated school transport including buses and taxis where it is appropriate for them to do so.

“In relation to communal areas in schools, the guidance already strongly encourages face coverings for activities that entail large numbers of staff or pupils within an enclosed space where social distancing is not possible.

“Given the risk mitigations in place in schools to limit and contain the spread of Covid-19, face coverings are not recommended as being compulsory for routine use in education settings. However, staff and pupils may wish to use them during the routine school day and this is acceptable. Schools should also be aware that some persons (including some children) are exempt from wearing face coverings.

“I will continue to keep all guidance in respect of education settings under review in light of the latest medical and scientific advice."

Peter Weir said: “The first step in keeping our schools safe is that anyone with symptoms should not attend school. Parents should not send their children to school if they have any of the Covid-19 symptoms including:

· a high temperature

· a new, continuous cough

· a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.”