New advice to schools issued by the Department of Education this morning has stressed that children in third class and above should not be excluded from schools “in the first instance” for not wearing masks.
Instead, it says, the school should engage with the parents and, if no progress is made, then an inspector from the Department of Education will be contacted.
The new guidance also says that where a school agrees with parents that a mask is not appropriate for the child, no medical certification is needed for an exemption.
The guidance amends rules on mask wearing introduced at short notice last week which said that unmasked pupils in third class upwards will be refused entry to their school if they do not have a medical certificate to show they are exempt from the rules.
As part of the changes children aged nine and over are also required to wear masks on public transport and in retail and other indoor public settings
The guidance says any pupil with difficulty breathing or other relevant medical conditions are exempt from wearing face masks/coverings.
| Total doses distributed to Ireland | Total doses administered in Ireland |
|---|---|
|
10,093,390 |
8,193,802 |
A pupil who is unable to remove the cloth face mask/covering or visor without assistance is also exempt along with children who have special needs or those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity.
“It should also be noted that where a school is aware, having consulted with the parent/guardian that a child’s needs are such that mask-wearing is not appropriate, no medical certification is needed,” the advisory states.
Impediment
Visors should be considered where face masks present an impediment to communication for pupils with a hearing impairment. Schools are asked to use their judgement in such cases.
It is recognised that wearing a face mask for long durations can be “challenging” for young children. Schools are advised to arrange regular breaks and facilitate children taking a break outdoors where possible.
Pupils do not have to wear a mask while eating their lunch at their desks or taking a drink during class.
In instances where classes are mixed, and a class comprises of pupils in third class and second class or a lower class, only pupils in third class are required to wear face masks.
It is not necessary for pupils to wear a face mask while engaged in PE (physical education), the guidance states. “Physical education should be outdoors if the weather permits. Indoor spaces should be ventilated well,” it adds.
Pupils are not required to wear a mask while singing or playing a musical instrument but should remain in pods and be socially distant.
The advisory explains that the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has advised that the wearing of face masks is being introduced on a temporary basis and is subject to review in mid-February 2022.
