Scotland has not yet moved to close all schools in response to coronavirus.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon said in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon that she was not advising the closure of schools, colleges and universities. However, she added that this would remain under review.

She also said that deputy first minister and education secretary John Swinney had been in discussion with the Scottish Qualifications Authority. This year’s exams are due to start on Monday 27 April, and one headteacher told Tes Scotland today that “lots of parents are worried” about the ramifications for the students sitting them. 

She added: “If schools are closed, children will inevitably gather together in less formal settings, which might be a greater risk in terms of spread of infection than their being in school, where they are encouraged to use proper hand-hygiene practices.”

The first minister also said she plans to advise all mass gatherings of more than 500 people in Scotland be cancelled from next week, to relieve the pressure on emergency services dealing with Covid-19.

The UK government is expected to escalate its response after a Cobra meeting today. Ms Sturgeon, along with Scottish health minister Jeane Freeman and chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood, were due take part in that meeting and provide a joint update afterwards, at about 3pm.

Ms Sturgeon was addressing First Minister’s Questions minutes after it emerged that Ireland would be closing all schools, colleges and childcare facilities from tomorrow, as part of a partial lockdown that will apply from 6pm tonight until 29 March.