The government has said face coverings should be worn in schools a day after a Kent virologist called for the measures.

Professor Martin Michaelis - a mollecular medicine expert at the University of Kent - said last month that the widespread restrictions were needed to prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.

A four-week lockdown will start tomorrow after MPs voted in favour of it today.

Prof Michaelis, from Whitstable , said its efficacy depends upon the actions taken by individual people .

But today the government announced face coverings should be worn by students and staff in secondary schools and colleges in communal spaces and outside of classrooms, where social distancing cannot be maintained.

However, primary school children do not need to wear face coverings, and older children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities may be exempt from wearing them, depending on their need.

Primary schools continue to have discretion to recommend staff and visitors wear face coverings in communal spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained.

But this is not a requirement and it is for individual schools to make these decisions locally.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “We must put the interests of our children and young people first, especially when the benefits of being in the classroom are clear.

“Children are settled back into their routines and schools have protective measures in place keep their staff and pupils as safe as possible.

“Education is a national priority and we cannot allow it to be disrupted again.”

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