The DfE has announced that students will no longer be required to wear face coverings in schools and colleges from 17 May. The Face coverings in education guidance has been updated to reflect that face coverings will no longer be recommended for students in classrooms or communal areas, in all schools and FE providers. The update also states that face coverings will no longer be recommended for staff in classrooms, but it continues to recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and visitors in situations outside of classrooms where social distancing is not possible. The Covid-19 Contingency framework: education and childcare settings guidance has also been updated with further information on testing and face covering measures.
