“Nobody should be denied an education if they don’t wear a mask,” minister for children Vicky Ford has said as schools return in England today in the first step of lockdown easing.

As pupils across the country return to school for the first time in at least two months, the question of whether masks should be compulsory for pupils is still contested among experts and ministers.

Mr Ford told Sky News: “The vast majority of teenagers…they want to do everything they can to protect themselves from the virus…and they understand that the masks that have been recommended by the medical officers are a way to help to do that.”

She added: “But some are exempt from wearing masks, some may be very anxious about wearing masks, but I really would encourage them to do so.”

When asked why she has not made mask-wearing compulsory in schools, Ms Ford replied that she has followed “the medical advice we had,” which was just to “strongly encourage them.”

Ms Ford added that the mask policy in schools will be reviewed at Easter.

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[Source: CNBC News]