Letter urges Victorian parents to send children to school in masks as Covid surges

Students in New South Wales, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory began term 3 this week. NSW is launching a ‘four-week blitz’ of anti-Covid measures. Photograph: Xinhua/Rex/Shutterstock

The Victorian education department and independent schools have written a letter to parents urging students over the age of eight to wear masks at school.

While masks are not currently mandated for general student populations anywhere in Australia, a letter signed by the heads of the Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools sectors asks students aged eight and over to wear masks during class and if travelling on public transport. The state opposition has seized on the recommendation, labelling it a “mandate by stealth”.