PARENTS are being asked to wear face coverings when dropping off and collecting children from Middlesbrough schools.

Middlesbrough Council has written to headteachers in the town asking them to encourage parents to cover their faces to help protect the community from Covid-19.

Staff, students and visitors in secondary schools are already required to wear face coverings in communal areas on school premises where social distancing is difficult.

With the town's Covid-19 infection rate now around 300 per 100,000 of population, the Council has asked parents of children in all schools to take the extra precautionary measure.

Social distancing is not always possible when large numbers of children are being accompanied to or from school and large congregations of parents could potentially lead to the spread of infection.

The Council will deploy street wardens to areas around schools to encourage adults to cover their faces.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "Social distancing on the school run can be difficult - even with all the great measures schools have put in place.

"Because the morning and afternoon drop-offs are unavoidably busy, we are asking parents to wear a face covering to reduce the risk of the virus spreading."

Cllr Mieka Smiles, Executive Member for Communities and Education, said: "Everyone working in Middlesbrough schools has done a phenomenal job since all students returned in September.

"I'd also like to thank parents and carers for the role they have played in helping children adapt to new routines.

"Schools are doing so much to keep everyone healthy and it's really important that as parents we support schools in return and protect everyone we come into contact with."