Bremore Educate Together Secondary School

Clarification on the use of face coverings in Post Primary schools

Clarification on the use of face coverings in Post Primary schools from the Department of Education and Skills
18-September-20
Clarification on the use of face coverings in Post Primary schools

Clarification on the use of face coverings in Post Primary schools


The Department has issued the following clarification on the use of face coverings in post primary schools:


Wearing a face covering or mask does not negate the need to stay at home if symptomatic.


Wearing of face coverings – a requirement
Staff and students, at post-primary level, are required to wear a face covering. The exemptions to this are
set out below.


Cloth face coverings
Cloth face coverings are recommended for staff and students. Cloth face coverings act as a barrier to help
prevent respiratory droplets from travelling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing
the face covering coughs, sneezes, talks or raises their voice. Cloth face coverings are therefore intended
to prevent transmission of the virus from the wearer (who may not know that they are infected) to those
with whom they come into close contact.


Face coverings must not contain any slogans/logos/images that may cause upset or be deemed offensive
to any member of the school community.


Visors
Cloth face coverings are more effective than visors. In the limited circumstances where a cloth face
covering cannot be worn clear visors must be considered. The alternate use of a clear visor can also be
considered when a staff member is interacting with students with hearing difficulties or learning
difficulties.


Exemptions
A medical certificate to certify that a person falls into a category listed below must be provided to the
school by, or on behalf of, any person (staff or student) who claims that they are covered by the
exemptions below:


• any person with difficulty breathing who cannot wear a cloth face covering or a visor
• any person who is unable to remove the cloth face-covering or visor without assistance
• any person who has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the
cloth face covering or visor, for example persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities,
mental health conditions, sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity.


In circumstances where a medical certificate is not provided that person (staff or student) will be refused
entry to the school.


The Department has also issued the following clarification regarding the physical distancing requirement
when a face covering, supported by a medical certificate, cannot be worn:


The view is that there will be a very small number who are covered by the limited exceptions who cannot
wear a cloth face covering or visor and that in these limited circumstances the arrangements in place for
physical distancing (1m), hand hygiene, cough etiquette and cleaning would apply and should be strictly
observed.


Directions for effective use of face coverings
• Information should be provided by schools on the proper use, removal, and washing of face
coverings. Advice on how to use face coverings properly can be found here.


• All staff and students should be reminded not to touch the face covering and to wash or sanitise
their hands (using hand sanitiser) before putting on and after taking off the face covering.


• All staff (and students, where applicable), should be aware that they should wash or sanitise hands
(using a hand sanitiser) before and after helping a student put on or adjust a face covering.


• Face coverings should be stored in a designated space, for example, in an individually labelled
container or bag.


• Cloth face coverings should be washed after every day of use and/or before being used again, or
if visibly soiled.


• Face coverings should not be worn if they are wet. A wet cloth face covering may make it difficult
to breathe.


Whilst staff and students may wish to utilise their own face covering on a day-to-day basis, schools should
have a stock of additional disposable or multi-use face coverings (or if appropriate, visors) for staff and
students in case a back-up face covering is needed during the day or where required on an ongoing basis.


Use of medical grade face coverings
Schools should consider the specific circumstances where the use of medical face masks (to EU Standard
EN 14683) may be more appropriate for staff as part of their risk assessment for employees returning to
work (for example where staff by necessity need to be in close and continued proximity with students with
intimate care needs such as SNAs).


Students using school transport
All students on the post primary transport scheme are required to wear face coverings subject to the
exemptions above.


This clarification document could be put on the school’s website.


John Curtis
General Secretary
17th September 2020

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