There will be increased messaging within schools around Covid-19 when students return next week, according to the education minister.

Schools will be required to follow advice from Public Health and a range of protective measures will be in place.

Minister for Education Julie Edge was asked by Jason Moorhouse in the House of Keys on Tuesday what challenges are being faced by schools at present and what new advice will be given to parents and students ahead of the new half term.

Ms Edge stressed that face-to-face learning was a priority for which there was ’no substitute’ and she said a ’one size fits all appoach’ couldn’t be taken.

She added that there would be increased messaging around hands, face, space and ventilation, encouragement to wear face masks and posters would be put up in school buildings.

According to the Department of Education, face coverings are not currently compulsory but are ’strongly encouraged’.

The Department’s website stated there wasn’t a need for students to wear face masks in schools.

Ms Edge has since confirmed she’s asked for this information to be updated.

A statement from the Department said: ’The Department continues to work with Public Health to determine the most appropriate protective measures to mitigate the risk of Covid-19.

’We will continue to follow the latest government guidance and provide help and support to schools and UCM.’

Earlier in the proceedings, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan was asked by Mr Moorhouse if any additional mitigation was planned in relation to Covid-19 in the run up to winter.

Mr Cannon replied that the surveillance report, published weekly, showed significant numbers of the island’s caseload were ’being driven in the 10 to 19 age group’.

He said: ’What we are doing with the schools will be of importance moving forward.

’I would urge a sense of perspective being applied here and what we are going to try to do is move forward to provide the reassurance that we are continuing to assess the situation and provide a framework for Public Health, and particularly our schools and businesses to be able to work together to provide targeted mitigations in certain areas when we get outbreaks.’