School leaders are perplexed at the timing of the prime minister’s announcement on Monday (May 10), especially in light of concern over three Indian variants that have appeared in the UK, including one that has been officially designated a “variant of concern”.
Mr Johnson confirmed – in line with step 3 of his roadmap out of lockdown – that from Monday, May 17, young people will no longer be required to wear face masks in classrooms or communal areas in secondary schools and colleges.
Staff will no longer be required to wear face coverings in the classroom, but should continue to wear them in communal areas where social distancing may not be possible, the Department for Education has said. Official guidance has been updated (DfE, 2021a)
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