Any attempt to bring back masks in England's schools will be personally looked at by the Education Secretary - even in areas hit by Covid spikes.
In a letter to MPs, Nadhim Zahawi said he has agreed with directors of public health that they will consult him before recommending that pupils are asked again to wear face coverings in the event of "extraordinary outbreaks" of Covid in local areas.
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday that masks would no longer be mandatory in classrooms from Thursday, while communal areas will follow on January 27.