Jewish schools tell students and staff: Wear masks in corridors but not in class

Teachers and students at Jewish schools including JFS, Yavneh and JCoSS will have to wear masks in corridors – but not in class.

This comes after the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, issued guidelines on Monday which said that while the government “is not recommending face coverings are necessary, schools will have the discretion to require face coverings in communal areas” if they want to.

Following the announcement JCoSS in Enfield said it has “taken the decision that students and staff will be expected to wear masks whilst moving around inside the building, but not during lessons.

“All students must therefore bring a masks, restrained in design, and a small sealable plastic bag to keep it in when not in use.  The evidence surrounding masks indicates that they may reduce risk if worn and handled correctly: they are not a magical forcefield, and absorb infection rather than preventing it.”

JFS’ Headteacher Rachel Fink said the school is “requiring staff and students to wear masks when moving around inside the building but not in classrooms. This is an additional preventative measure to reduce the spread of virus to further support the priority measures of washing hands and a ‘catch it, bin it kill it’ approach.”

Yavneh in Borehamwood also confirmed “pupils will be required to wear masks in busy corridors at lesson change over times where there are lots of people about”.

The Hasmonean Multi-Academy Trust have also reportedly told students to wear masks in corridors, while King David High School Manchester is telling pupils to wear face-coverings even in lessons.