Back to school Covid packs have adult sized masks that cover pupils’ whole faces

Back to school Covid packs featuring adult-size face masks which cover pupils’ entire faces have left parents bemused.

Mums and dads in the Australian state took to social media to share photos of their children wearing the comically-large coverings.

The government said that while only adult masks are included in their packs, children’s-size ones would be available to primary schools upon request.

‘A perfect fit, protects the nose, mouth, eyes and probably the ears too,’ one person posted on social media.

‘My granddaughter in grade five got adult masks too, and how long are five masks going to last?’ It’s a joke really,’ another added.

Amy Pennicott said an adult mask is ‘way too big’ for her 10-year-old daughter and that sending her out in it just wouldn’t work.

A Department of Education spokesperson confirmed only one size was included in the student packs, which are being sent to families ahead of their return to school.

They added: ‘However, where that size of mask does not fit the student at primary school, there is a supply of smaller masks available at schools to ensure they are accessible for all students who want to wear them given they are not mandatory.

‘While mask wearing is not mandatory in primary schools, primary schools across Tasmania have received a supply of more than 600,000 junior surgical masks if a child chooses to wear one and does not have their own.’

In Tasmania, it is mandatory for people aged over 12 to wear face masks in all public settings, including schools.

But David Genford from the Australian Education Union (AEU) said smaller sized masks should have been sent in the back to school packs anyway.

‘We want to make sure we’ve got something that’s actually comfortable for the students and will actually protect them and staff against Covid,’ he said.

According to a survey by the AEU, only one in five teachers felt safe returning to school in Tasmania, while 20% were satisfied with the government’s Covid plan.

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