Wednesday 26 August 2020
For immediate release
School staff should be allowed to wear face coverings, says UNISON
Commenting on the government’s decision to allow secondary pupils to wear face coverings in school corridors in local lockdown areas of England, UNISON head of education Jon Richards said today (Wednesday):
“This is a welcome step forward but still leaves a confusing picture.
“The focus on pupils is understandable but the government has already admitted the biggest risk in schools is to staff.
“School staff who work closely with pupils, and move between classes and bubbles, have particular challenges.
“Schools should recognise these issues and allow those who want to wear coverings to do so. But it’s the government that should be taking the lead on this, not passing the buck to individual schools.
“There must also be a clear explanation of why the government’s view of the science seems to be different to the other nations of the UK.”
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 both the public and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Garfield Myrie M: 07432 741565 E: g.myrie@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk