Secondary school students and staff will no longer need to wear masks in classrooms and during lessons from Monday 10 May.

Nursery staff won't need to wear masks at all, and primary school staff won't need to wear them during lessons either from the same date.

Secondary school pupils and staff and primary school staff still need to wear face coverings in communal areas.

Its been recommended that masks be worn in schools or colleges since November 2020, but guidance has changed given the low number of Covid-19 cases on-island.

Anyone who still wants to wear a mask can do so.

School visitors still have to wear masks and children over the age of 11 still have to wear them on the bus.

It is still advised that children stay in class or year group bubbles, that good hand hygiene is maintained, and for classrooms to be well-ventilated.

"The introduction of additional guidance for schools and settings was prudent in light of the risks posed by COVID-19. However, given the low number of cases on Island, we are now able to amend our guidance.

"Our aim has always been to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission by modulating the modes of spread.

"This is why we are continuing to advise that schools and settings continue to focus on ventilation, both in classrooms and communal areas. Maintaining high levels of ventilation will ensure that any airborne particles do not linger there." - Dr. Ivan Muscat, Deputy Medical Officer of Health.

Deputy Louise Doublet had been calling for changes after raising concerns about children wearing masks for several hours every weekday.

On-island school trips, induction days, sports days, and school proms are also allowed again from Monday 10 May.

The prom would have to abide by Covid-19 regulations and the sports day would only go ahead subject to a risk assessment.

"I’m pleased that we’re able to ease the guidance for mask-wearing in classrooms, and I’m sure students and staff will greet this as extremely positive news.

"I’m sure they’ll also be pleased to hear that residential trips, induction days and proms can take place again. While not central to the curriculum, events such as proms are important milestones: they’re part of growing up, moving on, and developing independence and life skills.

"While this is positive news, I’d encourage all staff and students to continue following the basics of public health guidance: maintaining physical distance, keeping up good hand hygiene, and ensuring classes are well-ventilated." - Deputy Scott Wickenden, Assistant Education Minister.