Political pressure from the Green Party has pushed the Government to supply free masks to kids and teachers in schools across Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Green Party is welcoming an announcement today by COVID-19 Response Ayesha Verrall to provide free masks in schools, and more funding for ventilation.

“We have been the only voice in Parliament consistently calling for better protection for our tamariki and kaiako, and this is a great win for our schools,” says Teanau Tuiono, Green spokesperson for COVID-19 response.

“This follows months of political pressure from our MPs amplifying the calls of experts and doctors to improve the approach to COVID in our schools.

“We are happy to see free masks and more funding for ventilation and heating so kids and teachers are safer over winter. But the Government can do much more.

“We call on the Minister to go further and provide free N95 or equivalent masks to everyone in the country, and to begin work on a long-term fix to poorly ventilated indoor spaces, to keep people safe from COVID-19 and other air borne viruses.

“With cases once again rising, we need to ensure we protect our most vulnerable and follow the science on the best way to slow transmission.”

© Scoop Media