Edinburgh nursery temporarily closes as 6 staff members test positive for Covid-19

An Edinburgh nursery has temporarily closed after six staff members tested positive for Covid-19.

Parents of children at the Busy Bees Edinburgh Nursery just off Broughton Road were told in a letter that they will aim to reopen by Monday next week for non-isolating children. However, any children who have been in contact with an affected staff member have been asked to self-isolate and will not return until after the self-isolation period is complete and they are symptom free.

Busy Bees confirmed on Thursday afternoon that six members of staff are now self-isolating as a result of positive Covid-19 tests, and that a decision was made to temporarily close as they did not have enough staff immediately available to safely keep the nursery open.

The affected staff work in all three separate buildings run by the nursery – one in Broughton Road and two in neighbouring Beaverhall Road – so a decision was made to close all of them.

One of the Edinburgh Nursery sites in Broughton Road. Pic: JPI Media

The letter to parents, sent on Wednesday from safety director Emily Brimson-Keight, said the condition of affected staff members was “not life threatening.” It said: “They are following advice from the NHS Scotland and self-isolating. I am sure you will join us in sending our best wishes to them and their family at this worrying time.”

Parents have also been advised to monitor the health of family members closely and, should anyone display Covid symptoms - a cough, difficulty breathing, high temperature or loss of smell or taste - then they should follow Public Health Scotland advice and self-isolate for ten days. Anyone with symptoms should book a test through the NHS website here or here.

Those returning a positive Covid-19 test should let the nursery staff know immediately.

A parent of a child at the nursery who wished to remain anonymous told the Edinburgh Evening News: "It's not ideal it's closing and it's disruptive for parents but I do think the nursery are doing the right thing.

"Closing the nursery temporarily is probably the best way to keep everyone safe."

The nursery has virus control measures in place at all three sites including symptoms monitoring, access and movement control measures and regular handwashing and advanced cleaning. In recognition that the virus is easily transmitted, they are constantly evaluating measures to ensure they are effective and in line with government and public health advice.

Yvonne Smillie, managing director for Busy Bees Scotland, said: “As a result of the positive test results we made the decision to temporarily close the nursery as we did not have enough staff available in the short-term and also to prevent spread of the virus.

"We have written individually to every parent explaining the situation and how they are affected. We know this temporary closure will be frustrating for families and we apologise for the inconvenience caused however we will reopen on Monday 31st May and look forward to welcoming back those children who are not self-isolating.”

The Edinburgh Evening News has also seen a letter sent on Thursday from NHS Lothian to parents of children at Deans North Nursery in Livingston, stating there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19.

It says those who have been in close contact with the affected person have been identified, contacted and advised to stay at home for ten days - and to get tested. Virus control measures are in place and the nursery remains open.

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