Pressure grows to allow masks in England's schools - BBC News

The government is under pressure to give schools in England more flexibility over allowing face masks.

Head teachers, who want an urgent review of guidance against masks, said if there is going to be a u-turn it should be "sooner rather than later".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, depending on the medical advice, "if we need to change the advice then of course we will".

In Scotland secondary pupils will have to wear masks in school corridors.

In England, despite official guidance against face coverings, some schools are already preparing to use them.

The Oasis academy trust, with more than 50 schools in England, is providing visors for its teachers - and secondary pupils will have to wear masks in corridors.

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On Tuesday, the ASCL head teachers' union said parents and schools needed more clarity and "reassurance" over the evidence for not allowing masks.

The head teachers' union said it would be "prudent" to reconsider the opposition to allowing masks, in the light of the policy in Scotland and the recent guidance by the World Health Organisation, which recommended face coverings for the over-12s.

The heads' union asked what schools should say if teachers or pupils said they wanted to wear a face covering - and for a "clear direction one way or another".

The union's leader Geoff Barton also urged "if there is going to be any U-turn by the government that it does this sooner rather than later, because the start of the new term is imminent".

On a visit to Devon, the prime minister emphasised the safety of the return to school in September, saying "all our scientific advice is that schools are safe, it's absolutely crucial people understand that".

On whether face masks should be allowed in school, Mr Johnson said: "We'll look at the changing medical evidence as we go on, if we need to change the advice then of course we will."

Despite the current guidance against using masks, it seems some schools are already making their own decisions.

Steve Chalke, chief executive of the Oasis academy trust, said there was a responsibility to make schools "as safe as we possibly can" - and that meant using masks and visors.

Like wearing a school uniform, he said wearing masks would become "part of what we do" and would be part of a wider safety plan, including hand washing and keeping pupils apart in separate "bubbles".

But in secondary school corridors and shared areas, where pupils could not be kept apart, Mr Chalke said masks would be required.

"We're using our common sense for our schools and our buildings," he said.

'Nervous parents'

It would help to protect teachers as well as pupils, he said, including those who might have underlying health conditions or who are in a more vulnerable age group.

Mr Chalke said schools leaders had to make a "moral choice" on how best to make schools safe on the scientific advice available.

He also thought using masks, which will be provided, might increase the confidence of parents "nervous" about sending their children back to school.

A secondary school in Kent, Sir Roger Manwood's School in Sandwich, is expecting pupils and staff to wear masks - with pupils each being given three washable masks.

The government's safety guidance, issued in July, says Public Health England does not recommend using face coverings in school.

As pupils would be in their own separate "bubbles" there is no need for masks, says the guidance, which warned that "misuse" of face coverings could "inadvertently increase the risk of transmission".

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "We have consistently followed Public Health England advice, which does not recommend the use of face coverings in schools because there are a range of protective measures in place, including children staying in consistent groups.

"We have set out the system of controls schools should use, including cleaning and hygiene measures, to substantially reduce the risk of transmission of the virus when they open to all children in the coming weeks."

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2020-08-25 12:35:06Z
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Storm Francis: Homes flooded, rail lines blocked and campers rescued in wet and windy conditions - Sky News

Storm Francis has hit the UK and Ireland - flooding homes, blocking rail lines and forcing some campers to be rescued amid strong winds and heavy rain.

Emergency services have warned people to take extra care in the stormy conditions, particularly along the coast.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for very strong winds across most of Wales and central England. It is in force from 2pm to 10pm.

Image: Storm Francis has brought severe flooding and strong gusts, leaving homes and businesses without power in Ireland

Gusts of up to 65mph could be felt inland, with forecasters warning of transport disruption, power cuts and potential flying debris that could lead to "injuries or danger to life".

On the swollen River Taff, South Wales Police has been involved in two separate water searches.

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Emergency services are searching the river in Cardiff following reports of a person entering the water near the city's Principality Stadium shortly before 8.40am.

A river search in Taff's Well is also under way, following reports a canoeist capsized.

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A woman has also been rescued at the River Ely in Leckwith following reports of a person in difficulty, South Wales Police said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, firefighters rescued holidaymakers from a flooded campsite in the town of St Clears, Carmarthenshire, after river levels rose in the area.

Nine people and two dogs were rescued, according to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, with crews using a swift rescue sledge, lines and wading gear.

A number of homes in Wales are also said to have been hit by flooding - in Llanelli, Neath, Whitland and Tonyrefail - while some roads across the country have been left underwater.

Across the UK, travellers have been warned of the potential for flooding to disrupt rail services and trees blocking roads.

Gusts of 67mph were recorded at the Isles of Scilly between 8am and 9am on Tuesday morning, the Met Office said, while gusts of 73mph at the Needles on the Isle of Wight were registered at the same time.

A total of 65.8mm of rain was recorded by the Environment Agency as falling between 11pm on Monday and 7am on Tuesday at White Barrow in Devon.

In the same period, Natural Resources Wales recorded 61.4mm falling at Tavernspite in Carmarthenshire, while Spite in Glamorganshire saw 56.2mm.

As of midday, the Environment Agency had issued 22 flood alerts for England, largely in the South West and West Midlands.

Natural Resources Wales had put out three flood warnings - advising immediate action - and 17 flood alerts for rivers across the South West.

The stormy conditions are expected to last until Wednesday morning, with three Met Office yellow weather warnings of heavy rain or strong winds covering most of the UK for Tuesday.

Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, northern England and parts of North Wales are all covered by the rain warnings.

Forecasters say gusts of up to 70mph could hit exposed coasts and hills across Wales and most of England.

Image: A warning sign advises against swimming in the sea at Brighton

The increased wind speeds has seen the M48 bridge across the River Severn closed in both directions.

A fallen tree temporarily blocked the A30 in Cornwall, while another toppled tree caused disruption on the rail line between Gunnislake in Cornwall and Plymouth in Devon.

There were delays of up to an hour to some services in Wales after flooding caused lines to be closed for part of the morning in Neath.

Elsewhere, flooding on the line between Fernhill and Aberdare saw services suspended.

In Northern Ireland, a river burst its banks near the town of Newcastle.

There have also been roads blocked by flooding, a fallen tree and a downed power line.

Image: A DFDS ferry arrives in bad weather at the Port of Dover in Kent

In the Republic, Storm Francis brought severe flooding and strong gusts overnight, leaving homes and businesses without power.

West Cork has been particularly badly affected, with extensive flooding in Bantry, including The Square, New Street, Bridge Street and Main Street, damaging almost 50 properties.

According to Cork County Council, the damage was caused after prolonged intense rainfall in an already saturated ground.

A number of roads have been damaged and remain closed despite flood waters having been cleared.

Other flooded areas include Dunmanway, Rosscarbery, Connonagh, Clonakilty, Drimoleague, Leap, Ballydehob, Passage West and Youghal.

Skibbereen escaped further flooding, having been badly hit by Storm Ellen last week.

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2020-08-25 12:55:40Z
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Coronavirus: Wales announces review into face mask use in schools - hours after Scotland takes action - Sky News

The Welsh government is to review whether children should wear face coverings in schools after Scottish pupils were told to put on masks in corridors.

Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething has asked a scientific advisory group to consider the current guidance for schools in Wales, which are due to return next week.

Just hours earlier on Tuesday, the Scottish government revealed secondary school pupils in Scotland will have to wear face coverings when moving through corridors and other communal areas from next Monday.

All pupils over the age of five will also have to wear face masks on school buses in Scotland.

'Schools are safe' - PM

The developments will heap further pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to change the guidance on face coverings in English schools.

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Downing Street has said there are "no plans" to change the current advice in England, which states face masks are not recommended because pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups.

The UK government has also pointed to other measures schools are taking to limit the spread of coronavirus.

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Mr Johnson stressed on Tuesday that "all of our scientific advice is that schools are safe".

However, he opened the door to a possible future review of the guidance on face masks by adding: "We will look at changing medical evidence as we go on - if we need to change advice of course we will."

In a sign of some of the pressure Mr Johnson might be under not to review the existing guidance, Conservative MP Marcus Fysh - the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Education - tweeted: "Masks should be banned in schools.

"The country should be getting back to normal not pandering to this scientifically illiterate guff."

Both the Welsh government and Scottish government highlighted new advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) - published at the weekend and which said children aged 12 and over should wear masks - as a factor behind their decisions.

Image: Secondary school pupils in Scotland will have to wear face masks in corridors from next week

But Margaret Harris, a WHO spokesperson, told Sky News that the wearing of face masks in schools should still be a "local decision".

"The really important point here is what happens in the schools, the decisions in the schools, are something that should be made by the local authorities in conjunction with the teachers and the parents in each area," she said.

"Because what you need to be very aware of is, what is the transmission status? What is actually going on in your community?

"So the first thing we're saying is: really understand your transmission."

She added children aged over 12, in terms of the transmission of COVID-19, have the "same sorts of risks as adults".

"If there are really encolosed environments, if you really cannot ensure good ventilation, [and] you cannot make it possible for them to physically distance more than a metre apart, then the wearing of masks may be something you add to the armoury," the WHO spokesperson said.

Is it safe for kids to be back in school?

Mr Gething said the Welsh government's review would "look at any additional risks and benefits to children, young people and staff from the wearing of face coverings in school settings".

He spoke shortly after Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon used her daily coronavirus briefing to confirm the updated guidance for Scottish schools would come into effect from Monday, 31 August.

"Adults and pupils in secondary schools should wear face coverings when they're moving around school in areas where distancing is challenging," she said.

"For example, through corridors or in communal spaces.

"And, secondly, adults and children aged five and over should wear face coverings on dedicated school transport.

"That, of course, simply now mirrors the situation on public transport more generally."

She said the updated advice was based on "the latest scientific evidence, as well as the real-life experience of schools" since they reopened in Scotland on 11 August.

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Teaching unions have added to the calls for Mr Johnson to follow the example of Scotland - and now Wales - and review the guidance on face coverings in English schools.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said - if there was to be a "U-turn" by the prime minister on the issue - it should be made "sooner rather than later, because the start of the new term is imminent".

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2020-08-25 12:33:45Z
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BBC Proms: Tony Hall backs decision to play orchestral Rule, Britannia! - BBC News

BBC boss Tony Hall has backed the Proms decision to play orchestral versions of Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory on the traditional Last Night.

"I think they have come to the right conclusion which is actually to include it instrumentally," Lord Hall said.

He also told BBC media editor Amol Rajan that he "suspects" the singing version will be back next year.

It had been reported the songs could be dropped over concerns of associations with colonialism and slavery.

The concert is due to take place on 12 September but without an audience and with limited performers at the Royal Albert Hall, due to concerns around Covid-19.

Lord Hall added: "We have come to the right conclusion which is a creative conclusion, an artistic conclusion... it is there in a medley of instrumentals playing around sea shanties and all of that and I suspect it will be back next year."

He pointed to the difficulties in putting on the Proms without the usual audience.

"The point is they've come to the right conclusion which is it's very, very hard in an Albert Hall that takes over 5000 people to have the atmosphere of the Last night of the Proms and to have things where the whole audience normally sing along - it's quite hard creatively, artistically to make that work"

In a statement on Monday evening, BBC Proms said it was announcing the concert's programme following recent speculation.

It said there would be new orchestral versions of Land Of Hope And Glory, and Rule, Britannia!, as well as a new arrangement of Jerusalem.

"With much reduced musical forces and no live audience, the Proms will curate a concert that includes familiar, patriotic elements such as Jerusalem and the National Anthem, and bring in new moments capturing the mood of this unique time, including You'll Never Walk Alone, presenting a poignant and inclusive event for 2020," the statement said.

Ivor Novello-winning composer Errollyn Wallen confirmed online on Monday evening that she is making the new arrangement of Proms favourite, Jerusalem,

"In it I remember the Commonwealth nations and am dedicating the work to the Windrush generation," tweeted the Belize-born British musician.

'A panic about race'

Trevor Phillips, the former chairman of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, told Times Radio he felt the BBC Proms panics when it came to issues of race.

"The real problem the corporation has is that it is always in a panic about race, and one of the reasons it is always in a panic is that it has no confidence," he said.

"The principle reason it has no confidence... is that there is no ethnic diversity at the top of its decision-making tree.

"What you have is rooms full of white men panicking that someone is going to think they are racist."

Broadcaster and choirmaster Gareth Malone has suggested the anthems are outdated, tweeting: "It's time for Rule Britannia! to go."

All the familiar tunes will be there but in a very unfamiliar setting.

The Last Night of the Proms will still have Jerusalem, the National Anthem and new orchestral versions of Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory.

However, there will be no live audience in the Royal Albert Hall to sing along, and the number of musicians and singers will be reduced and dispersed around the hall because of social distancing.

The music will, the BBC says, have to be adapted to reflect the new circumstances - which means there will be no singing of Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory.

The rumours that the tunes were being dropped for political reasons because of concerns about lyrics extolling Britain's imperial past has led to a heated debate.

The BBC says the orchestra-only arrangement was how the tunes were first performed at the Proms in 1905, and it's clear the evening's two rousing sing-along tunes would sound odd and perhaps rather bleak with just a handful of singers spread around an empty hall.

It's understood that the songs will return with their lyrics when the coronavirus restrictions come to an end.

Meanwhile, Jerusalem, another sing-along favourite, will still have its words, as will the National Anthem.

On Monday, Downing Street waded into the row, with a spokesman saying: "This is a decision and a matter for the organisers of the Proms and the BBC.

"But the PM previously has set out his position on like issues and has been clear that while he understands the strong emotions involved in these discussions, we need to tackle the substance of problems, not the symbols."

• Proms concerts will change depending on Covid rules

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden also said he had raised "concerns" with the corporation over the Sunday Times' report.

"Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory are highlights of the Last Night of the Proms," he tweeted. "Share concerns of many about their potential removal and have raised this with BBC.

"Confident forward-looking nations don't erase their history, they add to it."

Meanwhile, Tory MP Michael Fabricant said the move was "all very sad", adding: "There's some lovely words to Rule Britannia."

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he called for a "compromise" of a single voice performing the tune, rather than the usual sing-along version.

"Let's just have a single voice singing those words proudly," he said. "There's nothing wrong with a bit of tradition, and it's a beautiful tune."

Why is Rule, Britannia! so controversial?

Rule, Britannia! was set to music by Thomas Arne in 1740, and its lyrics were based on a poem by James Thomson.

It contains verses such as: "The nations, not so blest as thee / Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall.

"While thou shalt flourish great and free / The dread and envy of them all.

"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves / Britons never will be slaves."

Land Of Hope And Glory makes similar reference to the "might" of the former British Empire, which some people today find problematic.

Chi-chi Nwanoku runs the Chineke! Foundation, which aims to provide opportunities for black, Asian and ethnically diverse classical musicians in the UK and Europe, said: "We find it offensive.

"Of course I know other people are going to want to cling to it, but I know why they want to cling to it.

"These songs are jingoistic echoes of empire and, depending on what side of the fence you're sitting on, you either feel joyous, emboldened and patriotic and immediately identify with all the sentiments of it."

"For any conscious black person who is aware of their history, the empire and colonialism, for example, they will struggle to enjoy the patriotic jingoism of these songs."

She particularly draws attention to the themes of superiority, domination and ownership of black people.

"And the thing is, people continue to benefit from the proceeds of that relationship," she says. "How are we going to break down the institutional system, if we hang on to these [songs]?"

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2020-08-25 12:05:57Z
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Rule Britannia should be played at Proms says government minister - The Telegraph

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1. Rule Britannia should be played at Proms says government minister  The Telegraph
2. BBC Proms: Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory will feature on Last Night  BBC News
3. Britannia gagged: Lawrence Fox leads calls to strip BBC of licence fee funding  Daily Mail
4. Rule Britannia! What are the lyrics to the anthem and why are they controversial?  The Independent
5. Rule, Britannia! is about freedom, not slavery  Telegraph.co.uk
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-08-25 10:55:48Z
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Boris Johnson 'planning to quit because of Covid aftereffects claims Dominic Cummings' father-in-law - Daily Mail

Boris Johnson 'is planning to QUIT as PM in six months because he is struggling to recover from coronavirus', claims Dominic Cummings' castle-owning father-in-law Humphry Wakefield

• Baronet is said to have made the claim to a visitor to his Northumberland castle
• Reportedly likened the PM to a horse knackered through working while injured
• His journalist daughter Mary is married to Cummings and they have a son 

By David Wilcock, Whitehall Correspondent For Mailonline

Published: 10:55 BST, 25 August 2020 | Updated: 11:47 BST, 25 August 2020

Downing Street was today forced to deny an extraordinary claim that Boris Johnson is planning to quit as Prime Minister in six months time due to his health - made by Dominic Cummings' father-in-law.

Sir Humphry Wakefield is said to have told a holidaymaker who visited his castle in Northumberland that the Prime Minister is still suffering longer-term ill effects of coronavirus.

The baronet, 84, whose journalist daughter Mary is married to top aide Mr Cummings, likened the Prime Minister to a horse that is made to work while injured, leaving it permanently lame, according to the Times.

'If you put a horse back to work when it's injured it will never recover,' it reported him as saying.

No10 this morning said the claim Mr Johnson would step down was 'total nonsense'. 

Sir Humphry Wakefield, whose journalist daughter Mary is married to Dominic Cummings, is said to have made the claim to a holidaymaker who visited his castle in Northumberland

Mr Johnson (pictured while on his Scottish holiday last week) spent more than a week in hospital with coronavirus in early April, including a stint in intensive care.

Sir Humphry is the father of Mr Cummings' (pictured) wife, the journalist Mary Wakefield. The couple married in 2011 and have one child together.

British workers are the MOST reluctant to come back to the office 

British workers are the most reluctant to return to the office because of fears of a second wave of coronavirus, a new study has found.

It comes as Business Secretary Alok Sharma said he is hoping workers will return to offices soon and make cities 'vibrant again'.

A survey of 8,000 adults from eight countries found that UK and US workers showed the highest level of apathy towards going back to the office.

Downing Street yesterday urged workers who want to return to their workplace to put pressure on their bosses to allow it.

No10 said businesses had an obligation to offer staff 'Covid-secure workplaces' if they cannot work from home amid reports many City firms are plotting to retain home working into 2021.

The PM ordered officials to draw up plans for a return to work in July, but on Monday No 10 was unable to say how many officials are now back at their desks. 

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Mr Johnson spent more than a week in hospital with coronavirus in early April, including a stint in intensive care.

And many of those who have suffered report still suffering the lingering effects of its attack on their systems months after leaving hospital or their home sick bed. 

It is not the first time Sir Humphry, who owns Chillingham Castle near Bamburgh, has found himself in the political spotlight

In February he made an astonishing intervention in the Home Office bullying row involving Priti Patel.

The aristocrat, a friend of Prince Philip, accused mandarins who have squared up to the Home Secretary of acting to protect their 'relaxed life'.

The aristocratic interior designer and antiques expert, used a letter sent from the  13th century fortress to attack 'relaxed disciplines' in offices whose fans paint any attempt at changing the environment as bullying.

Two senior civil servants were forced out of the Home Office after clashing with Ms Patel, 47, and an internal report into the affair has so far not been released.

In a missive to the Times from his home the baronet said: 'I have worked in many long established offices around the world. Almost invariably, relaxed disciplines have become the norm. 

'I have found it near impossible to change old habits without appearing to ''bully''.

'Throwing chilling water on attempted inspiration is a special skill of department leaders whose relaxed life is under threat.'

Sir Humphry is the father of Mr Cummings' wife, the journalist Mary Wakefield. The couple married in 2011 and have one child together.

Sir Humphry owns Chillingham Castle (pictured) in Northumberland

Switzerland ‘will be added to the UK’s quarantine travel list this weekend’ as Tory MPs blast border ‘chaos’ and urge ministers to follow 30 countries which already have airport testing to slash 14 day self-isolation rules

Switzerland could be added to the UK's quarantine travel list as soon as this weekend after a surge in coronavirus cases as Tory MPs demand the Government back airport testing to reduce the 14 day self-isolation period. 

Case numbers in Switzerland now stand at 20.7 per 100,000 people - above the Government's threshold of 20 per 100,000 at which countries are added to the 'red list'.

As a result, it is viewed as almost a certainty that all non-essential travel to the country from the UK will be banned in the coming days. 

The prospect of ministers adding yet another nation to the 'red list' has prompted renewed demands from furious Tory MPs for the Government to change its 'chaotic' approach to border control. 

Ministers are under growing pressure to back testing on arrival at airports which advocates suggest could slash the 14 day quarantine to just five days. 

More than 30 countries across the world already conduct testing at airports and senior Conservative backbenchers want to know why the UK cannot follow suit.     

There is growing speculation Switzerland will be added to the UK's quarantine list this weekend. Geneva is pictured on August 22

Decisions on adding counties to the UK's quarantine list have tended to be announced by ministers at the end of the week. 

For example, the move to ban travel to Croatia, Austria and Trinidad & Tobago was made public on a Thursday afternoon before coming into effect at 4am on Saturday.   

The Times reported that Switzerland is likely to be added to the list this weekend with Scotland having already imposed self-isolation rules on travellers returning from the country.  

There are also fears that the Czech Republic and Greece could be banned after they have also recorded a spike in cases. 

More than 30 countries - including Germany, Iceland and France - have already introduced airport testing for people arriving from high risk countries.

Tory MPs want the UK to adopt a similar approach so that the blanket quarantine restrictions can be ditched. 

They believe the current approach is causing unnecessary damage to the aviation and travel industries.

David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, told The Times: 'The chaos of quarantine has shown that the Government's short-term solution no longer works for the long-term problem of Covid.'

Minister for European Affairs Clement Beaune said yesterday that France will impose reciprocal quarantine restrictions on travel from the UK in the coming days

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, echoed a similar sentiment as he said quarantine had 'caused untold chaos and confusion for passengers, whilst dealing a hammer blow to the travel industry'. 

Andrew Griffith, Tory MP for Arundel and South Downs, said the current approach risks putting the UK at a 'competitive disadvantage'.  

A testing on arrival system, currently being piloted at Heathrow, would see people tested when they go through border control and then tested against three to five days later. 

Two negative tests would mean people could return to life as normal in under a week. 

Ministers have been reluctant to back the move because of fears that the system could miss people who may have only just been infected when they are tested.    

The row over airport testing comes after the French government said it will this week impose reciprocal quarantine restrictions on travel from the UK. 

Britain added France to its 'red list' of banned countries on August 15 after a spike in coronavirus cases. 

All travellers returning from the country to the UK must stay at home for a fortnight and Paris is now poised to impose its own similar restrictions on people heading in the opposite direction. 

Minister for European Affairs Clement Beaune yesterday signalled the tit-for-tat action will be set out in the coming days. 

'We will have a measure called reciprocity so that our British friends do not close the border in one single way,' he told French TV station France 2, according to comments reported by Reuters. 

'For travellers returning from the United Kingdom, there will probably be restrictive measures decided in the next few days by the Prime Minister and by the Defence Council.'

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2020-08-25 09:55:54Z
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Coronavirus: Pupils to be told to wear face masks in Scottish secondary schools from next week - Sky News

Secondary school pupils in Scotland will have to wear face coverings when moving through corridors and other communal areas from next week.

Scotland's Education Secretary John Swinney announced the move on Tuesday after consulting with teachers and councils on the new guidance.

"From 31 August young people over the age of 12 in secondary schools should habitually wear face coverings when they are moving around schools and corridors and in communal areas where it is difficult to deliver the physical distancing," Mr Swinney told the BBC.

Image: Secondary school pupils in Scotland will have to wear face coverings in corridors

Mr Swinney said the Scottish government was acting on new guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which has said children aged 12 and over should wear masks.

He added that individual exemptions could be granted for health reasons.

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Scottish schools have been fully reopened since 11 August following their shutdown during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK.

Seventeen members of staff and two pupils recently tested positive for COVID-19 at a school in Dundee.

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The Scottish government's move to enforce the wearing of face coverings in secondary schools will put more pressure on the UK government to follow suit in England.

An education union, the Association of School and College Leaders, added to calls for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to keep the issue under review.

But Business Secretary Alok Sharma told Sky News on Tuesday there was "no current plan" to review whether pupils should be told to wear face coverings in English schools.

He told Kay Burley@Breakfast: "Public Health England has been very clear that they do not recommend the wearing of face masks in schools.

"And the reason for this is because pupils are obviously mixing in the same cohorts.

"We've also provided, through Public Health England, guidance in terms of how schools can keep children safe, how they can keep teachers safe and how schools can be COVID-secure environments.

"So there is no current plan to review that particular advice."

Is it safe for kids to be back in school?

Downing Street has said the WHO advice on over-12s wearing masks was not specifically about schools.

However, Anne Longfield, the children's commissioner for England, told Sky News that schools should be able to tell pupils and staff to wear face coverings if they wished to do so.

She said: "Some schools feel they do want to have face masks for staff and for older children because it would give more reassurance to parents and to teachers and the community," she said.

"I think in that situation, so be it.

"I think there is enough of a mandate already, from my reading of the guidance, to enable schools to do that if needed."

Former Conservative education secretary Justine Greening also told Sky News the wearing of face coverings in schools "should be considered" as a "sensible measure" to ensure pupils can return to the classroom safely.

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England's deputy chief medical officer, Jenny Harries, has said evidence on whether children over 12 should wear masks in schools was "not strong".

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said masks were not required as schools were taking measures to limit the spread of coronavirus.

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2020-08-25 08:55:17Z
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