British authorities have decided to equip classrooms with air quality monitoring devices ahead of the reopening of state schools and colleges after the summer break, in an effort to improve ventilation and combat the spread of COVID-19, according to the British newspaper "The Guardian."
This decision, announced by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, follows a campaign by school workers' unions for better ventilation in classrooms, as some research indicates that "COVID-19 primarily spreads through airborne particles, making enclosed spaces a breeding ground for infection."
Starting in September, the British Department for Education will spend £25 million ($34 million) to provide 300,000 CO2 monitoring devices, which will alert staff and students in case levels rise, indicating a need for fresh air.
The department stated that the monitoring devices "will enable staff to act quickly when ventilation is poor and will provide reassurance regarding measures taken to maintain good ventilation." Williamson noted that "equipping all schools with CO2 monitors will help administrations ensure that the right procedures are being followed, reducing any potential impact on the education process, and allowing them to focus on the lessons being taught to students."
