Mr. Andy Pike:

The only arrangements in place are those that the transport providers can manage. If social distancing were possible in every instance, the situation would be better, but it is not. School transport is still often quite cramped. Very often children with additional care needs are not able to wear face masks because it can be anxiety provoking and extremely distressing for them to be forced to wear a face covering. As a result, many of them will not do so.

In terms of school transport, if fewer students are using a vehicle, that vehicle may have to make two journeys. This means bus escorts may be within the confines of a cramped vehicle for longer than would have been the case before schools closed. The protections available to bus escorts are just the medical grade face mask. That is all. There is a case for saying that the higher grade of face mask, N95, should be provided for bus escorts and staff who are in the vicinity of aerosol producing devices such as suctioning tracheostomy tubes or other procedures that may take place in special schools. However, I am afraid only the minimum - the medical grade face mask - is available and there are problems accessing even that basic form of PPE. Bus escorts are making sure children hand sanitise before they board buses and when they get off. The Department could do much more in terms of giving very clear advice on how to stay safe in circumstances where something happens on a journey and a bus escort has to assist a student with hygiene needs. We hope it will do so in the next couple of days.