Masks mandatory again in secondary school - anyone else?

[Rinoachicken]

Had a message from DS secondary school yesterday saying that masks will be mandatory in all communal areas from next week. Not classrooms though.

“We have received a communication from Surrey, co-signed by the Director of Public Health and the Executive Director of Children Families and Lifelong Learning, reflecting upon the current COVID-19 situation within Surrey.”

Has never been removed here. Occasionally they go back to masks in class as well

Been mandatory in Herts schools for a few weeks now

This was put back in place about a month or so ago now in my kids school

Been mandatory here in the north east since before half term.

It happened weeks ago here.

Opposite. Have been mandatory since half term, but going back to optional from Monday due to falling case numbers.

Or at my secondary school, anyway!

Yep, came back in a few weeks ago here. Friends in the Midlands had them back pretty soon after the summer holidays, iirc.
Too little too late, I fear, looking at the numbers in schools round here.

Never stopped here. We are in a tourist area and have had high levels of positive cases all year.

My 2 boys have had to wear masks since before half term.

Ours never stopped wearing masks in communal areas.

Yep from Monday.

Virtually no one wears one in the school I work in. Mandatory in DDs school

Leicestershire apparently but no word from school yet

Been mandatory in classes in Scottish schools for secondary pupils for quite some time. There was talk of the requirement being dropped at half term (October), but at that point cases were rising and many 12+ had not had the chance to get vaccinated, so Scottish Exec decided to keep it in place. Tbh the rules in schools are nearly as strict as those in healthcare, they are desperate to keep both open.

I don't have an issue with know kids (or anyone) being required to wear masks. In fact I wish they'd bring them in for upper primary, as this cohort are not eligible for vaccination yet. I have to wear a mask all day at work and don't understand those who just can't be bothered - I know that there are some (but not many) who have a genuine inability to wear a face covering. I know it's not ideal, but it's hardly any great hardship either, and it's a simple thing to do to protect others and to some extent yourself too.

So far we have managed to dodge school transmission for both ds1 (secondary, masked and vaccinated) and ds2 (primary, no masks, no distancing.) No idea how ds2 hasn't got it yet, probably just bloody lucky as there have certainly been cases in his class. (I will have jinxed it now 😱).

My 2 have been in masks in classrooms and communal areas since before half term. NW London

Masks were back before half term. Tourists in the summer saw to that.

It's such an easy move to make, I Csnt understand why it's not mandatory again in class as well as communal areas.

Also in Surrey, and we got a copy of that letter from the primary school, but the secondary have been back in masks since half term so no change there

Yes, since half term . We should hear more end of the month if they have to keep them for longer.