All secondary and UCM students, staff and visitors, plus primary school staff, are expected to wear face coverings in educational settings from today.

This follows the Covid-19 briefing on Sunday evening where Chief Minister Alfred Cannan announced measures aimed at limiting the spread of the Omicron variant that masks would be expected in educational settings, as well as retail.

It includes attendance at concerts, prize-givings and after school events.

Face coverings will be provided to anyone who does not have their own, according to the government.

Following Public Health advice, primary school students will not be expected to wear face coverings but students in year 5 and 6 are encouraged to do so.

All educational settings continue to implement measures to support hands, face, space and fresh air.

The government said all staff plus secondary and UCM students are encouraged to continue to test for Covid-19 at least twice a week using free lateral flow test kits and to ‘know before you go’, to protect themselves and others.

If any student or staff member feels unwell they should notify their school and stay at home. Anyone displaying Covid-19 symptoms should call 111 or arrange a PCR test online.