Commenting on the government’s decision today (Tuesday) to extend the use of face coverings in secondary schools, UNISON head of education Jon Richards said:
“It’s the right decision to continue. Ministers have sensibly listened to school staff – the people who know what it’s really like to be around classrooms and corridors during the pandemic.
“Wearing face coverings isn’t ideal, but they’re a valuable safety measure and will be needed for a while longer to allow schools to stay open.
“Keeping staff, pupils and their families safe and stopping wider infection spread is the most important thing. Any further decisions must be made according to the infection data, rather than dates.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
