Mr. Michael Gillespie:

We are expecting more clarification from the Department. We have continually raised the contradictory use of language in some of the documents, such as face coverings, soft coverings and face masks. We have advised our members that a face covering is a mask. As the Minister has said a mask is required just as people are used to using them in shops. It covers the mouth and nose and should be worn within the 2 m because in most classes they are within the 2 m distance but cannot go within 1 m. In rare cases, such as SNAs or SEN teachers, individuals will wear a medical grade mask within the 1 m distance. That absolutely needs to be clarified. If someone cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, a certified medical reason should be presented to the school and the school can make alternative arrangements. For example, using a visor and maintaining 2 m distance could be set up in a classroom. However, if the visor is also not possible, we would be back into physical distancing because we need to keep everybody safe: the student who cannot wear a mask or the teacher who cannot wear a mask because of a medical reason. Then it is down to physical distancing. The other priorities of hand washing etc. must also be maintained.