Teachers: Protective Clothing

(asked on 11th May 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Prime Minister's statement of 10 May 2020, what steps he will take to ensure that teachers returning to work have access to adequate personal protective equipment.


Answered by
Nick Gibb Portrait
Nick Gibb
This question was answered on 29th May 2020

On 11 May 2020, we published new guidance on implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings#shielded-and-clinically-vulnerable-children-and-young-people

As the guidance sets out, wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not recommended. Face coverings may be beneficial for short periods indoors where there is a risk of close social contact with people you do not usually meet and where social distancing and other measures cannot be maintained, for example on public transport or in some shops. This does not apply to schools or other education settings. Schools and other education or childcare settings should therefore not require staff or children to wear face coverings. Changing habits, cleaning and hygiene are effective measures in controlling the spread of the virus.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is only needed in a very small number of cases, which are set out in the published guidance. In these very specific circumstances, education providers should use their local supply chains to obtain PPE.

These are rapidly developing circumstances; we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.

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