UK coronavirus LIVE: Boris Johnson in U-turn on face masks in schools as death toll up by 16

Boris Johnson has U-turned on advice that pupils should not wear face masks in England’s secondary schools following intense pressure from headteachers.

Face coverings will now be mandatory for children in all schools that lie in areas subject to stricter Covid-19 restrictions, the Government confirmed on Tuesday night.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister told reporters that the Government will “look at the changing medical evidence as we go on”, adding: “If we need to change the advice then of course we will."

In other developments, the UK coronavirus death toll has risen by 16 overnight, and the World Health Organisation has warned that a number of confirmed Covid-19 reinfections prove that the duration of immunity remains unknown.

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