Face Masks on School Transport

Masks on Buses:

We have been advised of a review of the wearing of face masks on school buses. The information is as follows.

Students aged 12 and over

 The exemption from wearing face coverings for students on school transport has been revoked under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Health Order.

 This means that everyone 12 years and older legally must wear a face covering on school transport services (both Ministry and regional council-operated) at all alert levels unless they have an exemption.

This includes SESTA, daily, technology, direct resourced, and Māori-medium school transport services. It also includes charter buses hired by schools to transport students and staff. 

 Please note, while the school transport drivers are not required to enforce the wearing of face coverings, they will report any non-compliance to your school’s bus controller (noting that some students may be exempt from face-covering requirements for health and safety reasons). Schools are expected to manage any non-compliance just as they currently manage behavioural issues of school transport users.

Students under 12

While we encourage all students to wear face coverings on school transport, students aged under 12 are not required to wear face coverings.

From Monday we ask that you help us with this Health order request.

We will provide masks for those who forget. 

If your child/children have an exemption please let us know.

Thanks for your support with this.

Greg Allan