Mask up: New health advice for Victorian students from today

Victorian parents are this morning waking to new health advice for their kids.

School students aged eight and over are being encouraged to wear a mask in class but the state government insists there is no mandate.

• Scroll down to see the full letter

A letter signed by the heads of the government, Catholic and independent schools in Victoria asks students to wear a face covering from now until the end of winter.

The letter says the Victorian Health Department “strongly recommends” face masks are worn in indoor settings.

“We are asking all students aged 8 and over and all staff in all schools across Victoria to wear masks when in class,” the letter reads.

It asks parents to help by explaining to their child why they should wear a mask.

Press PLAY below to hear the questions the letter raised for Ross and Russel

President of the Victorian Principals Association, Andrew Dalgleish, says it’s “ultimately it’s reminding schools of the current policy”.

“It’s just trying to reinforce that with families and actively encourage them … to support it,” he told Ross and Russel.

Press PLAY below for Mr Dalgleish’s view on the letter

Partner with Henderson and Ball Lawyers, Justin Lawrence, says it’s “a mandate by stealth in many ways”, but it’s legally “nebulous”.

“It doesn’t use legally mandatory language,” he told Ross and Russel.

“I think that’s where it’s nebulous and that’s where the confusion is coming from.

“It’s confusing but I would say it’s deliberately so. I think what’s happened here is no one is prepared to say ‘This is the mandate — you must do this’.”

Press PLAY below to hear a legal perspective on the letter’s wording