COVID-19 mitigation measures in primary schools and association with infection and school staff wellbeing: An observational survey linked with routine data in Wales, UK.
Emily MarchantLucy GriffithsTom CrickRichard FryJoe HollinghurstMichaela JamesLaura CowleyHoda AbbasizanjaniFatemeh TorabiDaniel A ThompsonJonathan KennedyAshley AkbariMichael B GravenorRonan A LyonsSinead BrophyPublished in: PloS one (2022)
Implementing, adhering to and evaluating COVID-19 mitigation guidelines is challenging in primary school settings. Our findings suggest that reducing non-household direct contacts lowers infection rates. There was no evidence that face coverings, two metre social distancing or stopping children mixing was associated with lower odds of COVID-19 or cold infection rates in the school. Primary school staff found teaching challenging during COVID-19 restrictions, especially for younger learners and those with additional learning needs.