Pupils who are shielding can return to school buildings in Scotland from Monday, it was confirmed today.
This week, for the first time since before Chritstmas, the vast majority of pupils in Scotland have been in school for face-to-face learning.
In a Scottish government Covid-19 briefing this lunchtime, first minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that pupils who are shielding can return to school buildings from Monday, 26 April.
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Shielding adults, meanwhile, can return to workplaces if their job cannot be done from home.
Covid: Shielding pupils can return to school
Two weeks ago, Ms Sturgeon confirmed that almost all Scottish pupils would be back in school buildings full-time after the Easter holidays. That meant school buildings across the country this week have been at their busiest since before Christmas, with shielding pupils now due to add to those numbers from Monday.
? Watch live: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gives an update on #coronavirus (#COVIDー19) restrictions.
Joining the First Minister is Chief Medical Office Dr Gregor Smith and National Clinical Director Jason Leitch. https://t.co/n1D8sOhVT2
- Scottish Government (@scotgov) April 20, 2021
Earlier this month it was confirmed that face coverings would have to be worn “at all times” after the Easter break by students and staff in Scottish secondaries, according to Scottish government guidance on the return to school.
However, the public health and education experts advising the Scottish government rejected a call from teaching unions for staff and students to be required to wear medical-grade masks in secondary schools.
Guidance was also changed to remove the requirement for two-metre physical distancing in Scottish secondary schools.
