Education secretary John Swinney is in the “final stages” of consulting with teachers and local authorities on the possibility of making face coverings mandatory in Scottish secondary schools, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
The new rules, if confirmed this week, would apply for movement between different areas of a school but not in classrooms.
Ms Sturgeon said: “We’re consulting on this specific measure because, firstly, mixing between different groups is more likely in corridors and communal areas - increasing the potential for transmission.
“Secondly, crowding and close contact in these areas is more likely and voices could be raised, resulting in greater potential for creating aerosol transmission.
“Finally, there’s also less scope for ventilation in these areas.”
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The first minister said it was yet to be decided whether the rule would be extended to school transport, and that a decision would be made in the coming days. But there are currently no plans for mandating coverings in classrooms. She also said that the new rules would go “slightly beyond” guidance on face coverings from the World Health Organisation.
Coronavirus cases linked to schools
Schools in Scotland started reopening after the summer from Tuesday 11 August, with a full return of all pupils required by Tuesday 18 August.
When asked why face coverings were not made mandatory at the start of the school year, Ms Sturgeon said the government had to be “responsive to changing circumstances” such as the “updated guidance from the World Health Organisation”.
Smaller class sizes and physical distancing amongst pupils even more essential after WHO guidance on face coverings for young people.
- EIS (@EISUnion) August 24, 2020
The advice from Ms Sturgeon, at the Scottish government’s daily coronavirus briefing this lunchtime, came as a number of schools in Scotland have been affected by cases of Covid-19.
James Gillespie’s High School, in Edinburgh, had already decided that masks would have to be worn when in corridors.
Face masks are also being introduced at some other schools, including Millburn Academy in Inverness and Grantown Grammar School, both in the Highland Council area.
.@NicolaSturgeon says staff and pupils in Scotland’s secondary schools may be asked to wear face coverings when they are moving around the school, with the government currently consulting on the issue with teachers and councils.
Latest - https://t.co/SCIBZcfHBK pic.twitter.com/7UHWoA87Ed
- BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) August 24, 2020
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson told the PA news agency: “As per the current Scottish government and city guidance, there is no requirement for pupils to wear face coverings while in our schools.
“However, schools may choose to construct advice based on consultation with their pupils, on what they find suitable for their individual school community.
“At this time the wearing of face coverings at James Gillespie’s is a request by the school, not an obligation.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said the “wearing of face coverings is not mandatory in schools’ settings”.
A recently-formed controversial campaign group, Us For Them Scotland, has demanded that the Scottish government and councils rule out such measures, saying it would cause children more harm than good.
Organiser Jo Bisset questions the scientific evidence for wearing face coverings in school and argues that it could negatively affect autistic pupils and those with hearing impairments and asthma.
She said: “Forced wearing of masks in the classroom, or when moving about the building, would not achieve any sense of normality for children who’ve endured quite enough in recent months.”
The news on face coverings comes as more coronavirus cases were confirmed in the cluster surrounding Kingspark School in Dundee.
NHS Tayside said the number of positive cases had reached 22, with 17 of those members of staff, two pupils and three community contacts.
The school has been closed since Wednesday evening.
A single positive case was also linked to the primary 2A class at St Peter and Paul’s School in the city, with another positive case connected to Happy Times out-of-school club at Downfield Primary School.
Meanwhile, a member of staff and two pupils at High Blantyre Primary School, in South Lanarkshire, have tested positive for Covid-19.
NHS Lanarkshire said adults and children connected to primary 3 or 4 had been asked not to attend class. The school was due to open as normal today, with the health board saying there is currently no evidence to suggest there is transmission in the school.
