Perth schools encourage face mask despite Covid mandate being dropped in Western Australia

Top private schools have told students to wear face masks even though the mandate has been scrapped.

St Mark’s Anglican Community School and Christ Church Grammar are among the schools in Perth urging students to wear face masks.

Covid cases soared since the mandate was dropped with the state recording 10,182 cases on Thursday, 9,328 on Friday and 9,243 on Saturday. 

Western Australia removed its indoor face mask mandate last Friday months after the rest of the country finally dumped the hated restriction.

St Mark’s Anglican Community School and Christ Church Grammar are among the schools in Perth, Western Australia, urging students to wear face masks

St Mark’s Anglican Community School sent a newsletter to parents urging students to voluntarily wear them to class, The West Australian reported.

Principal Steven Davies said there were too many important school events coming up to risk students calling in sick.  

‘Based on our experience this week at school, I must now say that the wearing of a mask at school is strongly recommended,’ he said.

‘There are some important events ahead of our students over the next few weeks, including NAPLAN for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9; examinations for students in Years 10, 11, and 12; work placements; and various excursions/camps/expeditions for classes and groups of students.’

Christ Church Grammar principal Alan Jones wrote in his school’s newsletter that several staff members had chosen to keep wearing the face masks.

‘I am choosing to continue to wear a mask on campus, when indoors and in groups of people, and I know a number of students and staff who have said they will continue to wear theirs in similar situations,’ he wrote. 

The precautionary measure comes as Covid cases continue to soar with the state recording 10,182 cases on Thursday, 9,328 on Friday and 9,243 on Saturday

‘People will choose to wear masks for all sorts of reasons: Don’t want to get sick, may have a family member who is at risk, may be a close contact or they may have an important event or trip coming up and don’t want to risk becoming ill.

‘It is good that we have choice, we can make a sensible choice about our own health and respect the choices of others.’ 

Education minister Sue Ellery said several precautionary measures were still in place at schools to protect students.

Enhanced ventilation, mandatory vaccination requirements, and cleaning were among them.

She said students were allowed to wear face masks if they felt it was necessary, but it was not mandatory.