(4 years, 5 months ago)
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Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con) [V]
Many children commute into the Hendon constituency to access the high-quality education provided by the London Borough of Barnet. As those children travel by public transport, they will be required to wear masks and take other precautions. Will the Secretary of State outline what precautions he believes there should be for children who use school transport provided by the local authority? Will they be required to take the same precautions as others by wearing masks on their journeys? When they get to school, will they simply disregard those masks?
Gavin Williamson
People will be required to follow the same regulations on both home-to-school transport and general public transport. The approach we have taken to bringing schools back has had safety at its very heart, making sure that classes are in small bubbles to ensure that we reduce the chances of transmission. We believe that such a cautious, phased approach is the right one.
[Official Report, 9 June 2020, Vol. 677, c. 184.]
Letter of correction from the Secretary of State for Education (Gavin Williamson):
An error has been identified in the response I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Dr Offord).
The correct response should have been:
Gavin Williamson
Those travelling on home-to-school transport are not required to wear a face covering, but can do so if they wish. The approach we have taken to bringing schools back has had safety at its very heart, making sure that classes are in small bubbles to ensure that we reduce the chances of transmission. We believe that such a cautious, phased approach is the right one.