A grammar school in Belfast is set to ban students and staff unless they wear face masks, according to a letter sent to parents.
Belfast Royal Academy announced the decision in a letter to parents, the BBC Stephen Nolan show has reported.
The school said it planned to give all pupils a face covering in school colours, and that pupils’ initials should be on the mask.
“Due to our large pupil and staff population it will be extremely difficult to maintain strict social distancing requirements,” the letter read.
“Therefore, in order to protect all members of the school community, including those who are vulnerable, all pupils, staff and visitors must wear a face covering within the school building.”
“If a pupil arrives to school without a face mask, they will not be permitted to enter the classroom.”
On Monday it became compulsory to wear a mask in shops and other enclosed public spaces. However but Education Minister Peter Weir said the NI Executive was not recommending face coverings for students.
However NI’s Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young said he believed it a mask would benefit older children.
Seventy-six new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed over the weekend, according to the Department of Health.
For the first time in four weeks, one further death was recorded.