True: The UK government reversed its guidance and asked the secondary school pupils to wear masks.

By: Suchita Goel
August 26 2020

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Initially, the government said that mask was not necessary, but now is asking secondary pupils to wear masks in schools in local lockdown areas.The British government came under renewed pressure to recommend that high school students in England's high-risk areas to wear face masks, after the advice in Scotland was changed. Principals in any secondary school will have the flexibility to introduce face covers in their schools, but those in the high-risk zone will have to wear one mandatorily. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says they follow updated advice from the World Health Organization. The Department for Education states that, for most areas of England, it is keeping its recommendation against using face coverings - but now schools would be able to make their own decision whether to ask pupils and staff to wear them. Also, in other parts of the country with high levels of coronavirus transmission, such as those with local lockdown measures, wearing masks would be compulsory in such communal areas for adults and pupils. Additionally, it would not be necessary to wear masks in the classroom, where 'protective measures already mean the risks are lower, and where masks can inhibit learning.' England's move came after the Scottish government announced that the secondary school pupils in Scotland would be required to wear face coverings in communal areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.