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Original poster

School transport/taxi and mace masks?

13 replies

Lovemusic33 · 29/08/2020 15:04

Dd gets a taxi to school and will be going back to school late next week. I am unsure on the rules for wearing a mask in a taxi. Dd attends a special needs school, has Autism and communication difficulties so is exempt from wearing a mask, no masks will be worn at school but children have been told to wear them if traveling by bus but no mention of taxis? I’m not sure Dd would wear a mask for 45 minutes (each way) each day in a taxi, could the taxi refuse to take her if she doesn’t?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 29/08/2020 15:28

Yes they are supposed to be worn in taxis too. Maybe the taxi will have a screen between the driver and passenger - you'd have to check

Racoonworld · 29/08/2020 15:55

That would be up to the taxi company and driver I assume? Maybe they could put in a screen instead

Spikeyball · 29/08/2020 15:59

She is entitled to transport to school so the LA will have to provide transport. I would contact the transport provider to find out if there will be a problem and if there is ( I think this is unlikely as lots of children on special school transport cannot wear masks) speak to the LA because they must sort something out.

Absolutelylush · 29/08/2020 15:59

The school transport department should contact you with their policy. I just had a letter saying pupils have to wear a mask in the taxi and gloves are optional. There is also guidance re anyone in the taxi testing positive or what the driver/chaperone should do if the child shows symptoms in the car.

If it is a private arrangement I would contact the taxi company or the driver.

Original poster
Lovemusic33 · 29/08/2020 16:15

Thank you, I think I will call the taxi company and ask, we had a letter conforming transport by no covid guidelines in the letter. Dd sits in the back of the taxi and another child in the front, both have special needs.

Obviously I am worried about dd picking up covid from the driver just as much as I’m worried about her keeping a mask on during a 45 minute journey to school.

OP posts:
EachDubh · 29/08/2020 16:43

Speak to the taxi conpsny, the ones our school used have their own risk assessments and some initially said masks must be worn but managed to fit a screen to the taxi between driver and pupils. Also depends on the escort. Hopefully will all be okay though and your daughter will love being back at school 👍

Lougle · 29/08/2020 17:03

DD1's special school has just issued a letter saying that pupils must wear a mask on school transport of any kind (including transport provided by parents who have children from outside their household in the car) and that the mask has to stay on until they are in their tutor rooms.

Spikeyball · 29/08/2020 18:14

Exemptions apply to children as they do to adults. The government guidelines clarify this.

SabrinaTheTeenageBitch · 29/08/2020 19:16

My eldest attends a sen school for autistic children. Guidance is 'strongly encouraged' but cannot be enforced as some of the children just can't do it. I have to say the minibus is far more of a concern to me than school is but unfortunately due to working hours/distance of school from home I don't have any choice

Lougle · 29/08/2020 20:15

@Spikeyball

Exemptions apply to children as they do to adults. The government guidelines clarify this.
Well, that's true, but equally the contracting service can set rules for use. For example, it's well known that violence means no transport, even if you're entitled to it. If the LA are saying 'masks on transport', then it's masks on transport.

As it is, many, many of the parents have agreed to the LA's request to drive their children in to school in exchange for a fuel allowance, which means no mask necessary.

Shitfuckoh · 29/08/2020 20:47

My 9 year old attends a special school. He's due to go back on Thursday (staggered starts) and I have yet to hear from the transport team so no idea what the set up is going to be!

Is it just teens that are expected to wear masks in taxis/minibus or is it all DC?

Spikeyball · 29/08/2020 20:56

The LA have a statutory duty to provide transport to school to some pupils. They have to do this regardless of whether or not a child is able to wear a mask. Not being able to wear a mask because of disability is not equivalent to chosen violent behaviour.

Lougle · 29/08/2020 22:10

@Spikeyball

The LA have a statutory duty to provide transport to school to some pupils. They have to do this regardless of whether or not a child is able to wear a mask. Not being able to wear a mask because of disability is not equivalent to chosen violent behaviour.
I'm not saying it's equivalent. I'm saying that we have been told that it is a requirement for all pupils to wear a mask on transport and there are situations where transport can be withdrawn. I'm not sure where the LA would stand legally if they refused transport due to a choice not to wear a mask (vs an inability to wear a mask). It doesn't affect DD1 because I'll be driving her in this term, so that children whose parents can't drive them in can be socially distanced on transport.
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