The Isle of Wight’s secondary school students will no longer be required to wear facemasks in classrooms and communal areas as changes to Government guidance come into force on Monday (17th May).
Other changes set to come into force are the reintroduction of inside dining and indoor pub visits, with residents able to engage in ‘cautious hugs’.
Despite concern from teaching unions – who have called for masks to remain in use until 21st June – the Prime Minister announced the news affecting secondary school and college students in a press conference yesterday.
Not all Island schools have required masks to be worn in the classroom since the rule was introduced before the Easter period and some pupils have remained exempt from the rule throughout the pandemic due to conditions and illnesses.
Other news revealed by the Prime Minister is the allowing of schools to begin organising overnight residential trips, although the Department of Education has recommended that schools and colleges do not plan international visits.
That won’t last long as the latest “variant” has arrived
There was no flu around this year as a result of mask wearing and social distancing. Therefore it makes sense to keep it going, not stop it. Why can’t wearing masks be just a normal thing to do in this country, like in Japan for example?