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The Labour Party adopted a different stance from several teaching unions in maintaining face coverings should not be mandatory for teachers and pupils once they return to school. The NASUWT teaching union earlier this week suggested older students should be made to wear face masks  as children over 11 are now required to wear masks in other settings to contain the risks of the coronavirus. But shadow Education Secretary Kate Green told Sky News: “Our position is to follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officers, of the scientists, who have said the masks are not necessary in school settings.

“Schools are putting in a great deal of efforts to make their premises safe for children to return in September.

“Additional cleaning, reconfiguring so that people don’t have to come into contact with each other so much.”

Ms Green’s response prompted Sky News host Niall Paterson to intervene: “Ok, I’m sorry for interrupting but we’re very pushed for time in these interviews.

“Just to be absolutely clear. The Labour Party disagrees with the unions, including the teaching unions?”

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The Labour frontbencher said: “Well, the Labour Party says that the advice that is given by the scientists, by the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Scientific Adviser is the advice that we would not second guess.

“That we would accept that advice.”

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach however has insisted there is now a “strong argument” for pupils and teachers to wear masks once schools reopen in September.

Dr Roach said: “The government’s wider public health advice confirms that whilst children aged under 11 are not required to wear face masks, they are mandatory for children aged over 11 when they visit a range of other facilities.

“So there is a strong argument that face masks should also be made compulsory for children when they return to secondary schools in September.”

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The co-chair of the British Medical Association (BMA)’s medical academic staff committee Dr David Strain maintained face masks should not be compulsory for primary school pupils but noted coverings could be a sensible solution among teenagers.

Dr Strain said: “When it comes to teenagers in secondary school, they are very unlikely to be badly affected by Covid, but there is some evidence that they can be carriers and spread it on.

“Therefore the idea of them wearing masks to stop spread around the school – enabling them to potentially take it home to older relatives and also risking teachers – is a sensible precaution.”

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