Schools: Masks no longer required in post-primary schools

By Q Radio News

Post-primary pupils in Northern Ireland will no longer need to wear face coverings in classrooms from today.

Face coverings have been mandatory for school pupils since the start of term in August 2021.

But the Education Minister announced she was removing the requirement from 21 March.

It brings Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, where similar guidance for school pupils has been adopted.

Post-primary pupils in Northern Ireland will no longer need to wear face coverings in classrooms from today.https://t.co/tHWzadIfNi

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 21, 2022

The guidance was removed in England in January, while Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland removed face-coverings as a requirement in classrooms on 28 February.

The Covid-19 advice from the Department of Education to school here was guidance rather than law.

It had recommended that post-primary pupils wear a face-covering in classrooms, school corridors and other areas like bathrooms.

Primary pupils do not have to wear masks in school but are encouraged to do so on school buses.