Schoolchildren are being asked to wear a face covering and carry hand sanitiser with them as a bus company gears up for a full school reopening.

Thousands of pupils in Hertfordshire will be heading back to school in September after months away due to the pandemic.

There is plenty going on at schools to make them as safe as possible for children - but getting pupils to and from school safely is just as important.

Hertfordshire County Council is encouraging parents and children to walk and cycle where possible but the council acknowledges that some will still rely on pubic transport.

This week, the council confirmed it is putting on 70 extra buses and coaches - funded by the government - for pupils only to keep them apart from the public and therefore minimising any risk of catching or spreading Covid-19.

Arriva, which runs services across Hertfordshire, is well aware parents and children will likely have questions about how its buses will work and what safety measures it has implemented.

What will the rules be?

Arriva says all of its buses are "Covid-19 secure" and every bus will undergo enhanced touchpoint cleaning each day.

Windows will also be kept open wherever possible to keep the buses well ventilated.

When pupils get on the bus, they are being asked to only use contactless payment or tickets via the Arriva UK bus app.

Cash will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances but Arriva has warned that its drivers will not be able to give any change at this time.

It is mandatory for children over the age of 11 to wear face coverings on public transport, unless exempt for medical reasons.

Arriva is also encouraging pupils to carry hand sanitiser with them and use before getting on and off the bus.

On dedicated school bus services, pupils are asked not to mingle with any pupils who may be from a different school.

Simon Finnie, area managing director for Arriva said: "There are some elements of bus travel that are operating slightly differently this year.

"We will have buses reserved for school, sixth form and college pupils only, the route number for these services will begin with an 'S'.

"Pupils from any year group and from any school or college located on the route can travel on these buses.

"If you need to travel on the same bus as pupils from another school then please sit with others from your own school, ideally from your own year group.

"To help increase capacity, we will be using larger buses than normal on certain services, and in some cases we will be running two buses at the same time so that both those travelling to and from school or college and those travelling for any other purpose can do so safely.

"Where possible we are asking you to maintain social distancing, although capacity on these buses will be increased allowing students to sit next to each other and standing if necessary.

"The seats behind the driver and any facing each other will be taped off and should not be used."

For more information visit www.arrivabus.co.uk/help/coronavirus/school-timetable-information