PARENTS around Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland are being encouraged to continue wearing face coverings on the school run.
Guidance on the use of face coverings inside secondary schools and colleges changes from Monday (May 17).
Students will no longer be required to wear face coverings in the classroom or communal areas.
But public health teams in the two areas are supporting primary school headteachers by encouraging parents to cover their faces at drop-off and pick-up times.
The advice was originally given to Middlesbrough parents in October.
South Tees Joint Director of Public Health Mark Adams said: "We want to keep all of our communities safe and while we're making good progress with the vaccine programme, wearing face coverings in crowded places is still one of the most important things we can do.
"Naturally we do see large congregations of people around schools every morning and afternoon - the simple compromise of wearing face coverings can help stop the spread of the virus and keep children in school.
"I know lots of headteachers will be encouraging parents to continue covering their faces - this is extremely sensible and will help protect children, families and staff."
All other protective measures in schools such as ventilation and social distancing will remain in place.
Rapid testing will continue and face coverings will still be required when travelling on school transport, as is the case with other public transport.
Updated guidance states staff are no longer required to wear face coverings in the classroom but should continue to wear them in communal areas where social distancing may not be possible.
Guidance on the use of face coverings inside secondary schools and colleges changes from Monday (May 17).
Students will no longer be required to wear face coverings in the classroom or communal areas.
But public health teams in the two areas are supporting primary school headteachers by encouraging parents to cover their faces at drop-off and pick-up times.
The advice was originally given to Middlesbrough parents in October.
South Tees Joint Director of Public Health Mark Adams said: "We want to keep all of our communities safe and while we're making good progress with the vaccine programme, wearing face coverings in crowded places is still one of the most important things we can do.
"Naturally we do see large congregations of people around schools every morning and afternoon - the simple compromise of wearing face coverings can help stop the spread of the virus and keep children in school.
"I know lots of headteachers will be encouraging parents to continue covering their faces - this is extremely sensible and will help protect children, families and staff."
All other protective measures in schools such as ventilation and social distancing will remain in place.
Rapid testing will continue and face coverings will still be required when travelling on school transport, as is the case with other public transport.
Updated guidance states staff are no longer required to wear face coverings in the classroom but should continue to wear them in communal areas where social distancing may not be possible.