LONDON (Reuters] – Secondary schools across England will require pupils to have face covers when they return to school next week after Christmas, according to Education Secretary Nadhim Ziawi. This is to prevent an increase in COVID-19 related cases.

He stated that “We want the highest number of students in college and school for as long as possible,” in an article published in Sunday Telegraph.

“One of the additional, temporary measures that will help achieve this in light of the omicron surge is recommending face coverings are worn in secondary school classrooms and teaching spaces for the coming weeks – although not for longer than they are needed.”

England is the only country in which face covers were prohibited from being worn in schools.

School and other public services have been affected by staff shortages.

Public sector managers have been asked by the government to be prepared for the worst case scenario in which 25% of employees are absent over the next few weeks.

Zahawi stated that remote learning is necessary because of the large number of students and teachers who will have to be isolated.

He said that face-toface teaching will continue to be the norm, and exams will go ahead as scheduled this month.