MADRID – Masks will be mandatory for all students in Spain, ages 6 or older, when returning to schools in September because of increased coronavirus cases, the government announced Thursday.
The measure will be adopted by the country’s 17 regions, which manage education autonomously.
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It’s part of a series of standardized guidelines agreed upon in a meeting with central authorities. Previously, masks were only required for students above age 12 by some Spanish regions.
Students will receive a daily body temperature check, must wash hands at least five times per day and classrooms will need frequent ventilation, the government said.
“Bubble-classrooms,” where students only socialize with a limited number of peers, will be key to identifying contacts. That allows localized quarantines if there’s a positive test, rather than closing entire schools.
Parents and teachers have expressed concern, with new waves of outbreaks since the country emerged from a strict lockdown.