Scots pupils don’t need to physically distance when schools return

School pupils in Scotland should not have to physically distance from each other when classes go back in August, a Scottish Government advisory group has said.

Scotland's schools go back in August

But the two metre distancing rule should apply between teachers and pupils, as well between teachers, according to the Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children's issues.

It also finds that children should not have to wear face masks when they return to school and that teachers should not be required to wear them if they can maintain physical distancing.

Children, particularly at a younger age, are known to be less susceptible to Covid-19

"The balance of the evidence suggests that no distancing should be required between children in primary schools," an advisory note published by the group states.

"The evidence is less clear for secondary schools but at present we would support the same approach being taken in secondary schools on the basis of the balance of known risks and the effectiveness of mitigations.

"In both primary and secondary settings, the preference would always be to avoid large gatherings and crowded spaces and, wherever possible, to keep children and young people within the same groups for the duration of the school day."

On school transport, dedicated school buses should be seen as part of the school, with no physical distancing measures needed between pupils as long as infection rates in Scotland remain low.

For pupils using public transport, though, the normal rules which apply to everyone should be observed.

A package of measures to suppress the spread of the virus in schools should also include an increased emphasis on hand hygiene and surface cleaning, with hand washing should be required for everyone on every entry to the school.

There should also be as close as possible to "zero tolerance" of symptoms should be in place, and "strict compliance" with the Test and Protect system, it adds.

The advice is likely to form the basis of the official guidance for the safe re-opening of schools later this year.

Education Secretary John Swinney said: “We are considering this advice as we develop comprehensive guidance which will give confidence to our school communities that the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and staff is ensured as we welcome them back.

“Ensuring the highest quality education for our young people, in a safe environment, must be a priority for us all and I know that everyone is committed to make sure that children's education is not adversely affected in the longer term.”

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