A grammar school in Belfast has said face coverings will be mandatory for its pupils on their return to school.
It is understood Belfast Royal Academy shared news of the decision in an email to parents and guardians, warning that those who arrived without one would not be allowed into class.
They intend to provide every student with a washable face covering in school colours, on which they can write their initials - but they have also advised that they buy at least one more.
Throw-away masks have been banned by the school for environmental reasons.
BBC's Nolan Show broke news of the decision this morning.
They reported that the email sent to parents said: "Due to our large pupil and staff population, it will be extremely difficult to maintain strict social distancing requirements.
"Therefore, in order to protect all members of the school community, including those who are vulnerable, all pupils, staff and visitors MUST wear a face covering within the school buildings."
Belfast Royal Academy told the Nolan Show that "where people have a genuine reason not to wear them, we will assess that on an individual basis and will make alternative arrangements".
The school has been contacted for a comment.
A new law making masks a must in shops and enclosed spaces came into force across Northern Ireland on Monday. Education Minister Peter Weir said he would not be recommending it for school students after he announced a "full return" to the classroom from August 31.
However, ministers in the Republic of Ireland have recommended that secondary school students and teachers wear face coverings when social distancing cannot be met.
The World Health Organisation agrees. It changed its advice on mask wearing in June and now advise that face coverings should be worn where social distancing is not possible.
While the virus is primarily spread through close contact with infected people or respiratory droplets expelled while talking, coughing or sneezing, WHO now believe that it can be airborne as "some outbreak reports related to crowded indoor spaces have suggested the possibility of aerosol transmission combined with droplet transmission e.g. during choir practice, in restaurants or gyms".
The Department of Health reported the first Coronavirus-related death in almost a month on Monday (August 10) with 76 new cases identified over the weekend, up from 40 new cases in the weekend ending August 3 and 21 the previous weekend (July 27).
A total of 557 people have now been lost to the pandemic in Northern Ireland, according to DoH figures.
Health Minister Robin Swann has urged everyone to sign up to the Stop COVIDNI app, which has already been downloaded 230,000 times.
It will alert people if they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
He said on Monday the latest death was "very distressing news" which "underlines once again the threat posed by Covid-19".
"We have a duty to protect those in our community who are most vulnerable to this virus," he added.
