‘If advice on face coverings in schools requires revision, it must happen without delay’

By piofficer, Thursday, 6th August 2020 | 0 comments

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has said that if the health advice in relation to the wearing of face coverings in schools does require revision, that must happen without delay as adequate time will be needed to ensure that procurement of the appropriate masks/visors is completed before the re-opening of schools.

Comments from TUI President Martin Marjoram:

‘In relation to the re-opening of schools, the TUI has at all points been guided by the advice of the public health authorities.

In that context, we note the publication of the Implementation Guidelines for Public Health Measures in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

We note in particular the advice that where 2 metres social distancing cannot be achieved, ‘appropriate precautions (such as face coverings, visors or barriers) should be employed.’

In terms of second-level workplaces, we require and have regularly been assured that public health advice will be updated as and when necessary and that all precautionary measures will be continually monitored and, where required, revised. In this context we will again raise the specific issue of face coverings with the Department of Education and Skills to see if the advice previously issued now needs to be revised.

If the health advice in relation to the wearing of face coverings in schools does require revision, that must happen without delay as adequate time will be needed to ensure that procurement of the appropriate masks/visors is completed before the re-opening of schools.’

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