The government has stressed the guidance is temporary and will be reviewed when Plan B regulations are scheduled to expire on 26 January.
Paul Whiteman, the head of school leaders' union NAHT, welcomed the moves over masks and air filtration systems, and said"the best place for children to learn is in school".
He said:"While there are obvious drawbacks to the use of face coverings in classrooms, it is clear that thevariant poses a very significant additional risk to education with the potential for further widespread disruption of schools, colleges, and young people." The government said that on top of a break from Ofsted inspections in the first week of term - which had already been announced - schools are being encouraged to ask for a deferral if they are"significantly impacted by COVID-related staff absence".
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