Almost like a slap in the face to U.S. COVID-19 measures that are requiring children to mask up for another school year, the United Kingdom has dropped its mask requirements for schoolchildren.

The U.K.’s Department of Education said “face coverings no longer are advised for students, staff, and visitors either in classrooms or in communal areas,” Newsmax reported. However, students still must wear masks on their way to and from school if they use public transport.

On its website, the British DOE said, “The government has removed the requirement to wear face coverings in law but expects and recommends that they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces where you may come into contact with people you don’t normally meet. This includes public transport and dedicated transport to school or college.”

The DOE also gives an option to individual schools to temporarily require face masks if they see “substantial increases in the number of positive cases in their school.

SOURCES:

Newsmax August 25, 2021

UK Department of Education August 17, 2021