Up to 10 days before impact of masks on Covid cases can be assessed

Pupils wearing face masks during lessons at Ballintemple National School, Crab Lane, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

It will take seven to 10 days before any impact of mask-wearing among younger children is seen on case numbers, a Nphet member has said.

New guidelines for children aged from nine upwards to wear masks while at school and other settings took effect this week. It follows advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).