Disquiet in UK schools as easing of mask restrictions in classrooms nears

Pupils' relief at being free of face coverings is mixed with teachers' and parents' concerns over spread of Indian Covid variant

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Teachers, pupils and parents have greeted the easing of coronavirus safety measures in schools from Monday with a mixture of relief and, in the light of concern over the Indian variant, dismay and confusion.

The government has announced that students will no longer need to wear face coverings in schools. But some areas in the north of England are being advised to continue measures, following rising numbers of cases of the new variant, known as B.1.617.2.