Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that education settings have supply of clear face coverings to support communication with deaf students during the covid-19 outbreak.

Some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings, including those who are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expression to communicate, or those who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability. No one should be excluded from education on the grounds that they are not wearing a face covering. Guidance on individuals who are exempt from wearing face coverings can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own.