Secondary school students should maintain two-metre social distancing on their proposed return to the classroom, experts have advised the Scottish government.
The measure is - as Tes Scotland has previously reported - among tougher restrictions recommended by the government’s advisory group on education ahead of the phased return of many pupils to schools planned from 22 February.
As well as on school grounds, the distancing rule should also apply on school buses, the group said.
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Education secretary John Swinney said the latest advice was an “important scientific and clinical update”.
An updated advisory note on minimising coronavirus transmission during the phased return to in-person learning states: “As an additional protective measure, two-metre distancing should be put in place at the current time for secondary-aged pupils, in addition to continuing to be in place for staff in secondary schools.
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“Physical distancing requirements in primary schools remain unchanged: two-metre distancing between adults not from the same household should be maintained. There should also be two-metre distancing between adults and primary-aged children whenever possible.
“In line with the strengthened advice on two-metre physical distancing in secondary schools, it will also be necessary to ensure two-metre distancing on school transport for secondary schools, recognising that this may not be possible in the case of school taxis or planes.”
The group said “appropriate support” should be provided to schools to enable them to take the steps suggested “taking into account local circumstances and the practical constraints faced by different schools in terms of issues such as building design”.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon has previously said pupils in primary 1-3 could return to classrooms from 22 February, along with senior phase secondary students who need school resources to complete coursework, although the Scottish government’s daily coronavirus briefing on Friday appeared to play down expectations.
However, Ms Sturgeon has maintained that a final decision will be made by ministers on Tuesday and will depend on the prevalence of the virus.
Scottish Conservative education spokesman Jamie Greene said: “Any proposals to accelerate the return to classrooms are welcome but safety guidance must also make sense, be proportionate and backed up with government resources to help councils and schools practically put the measures in place.
“In reality, universal social distancing will be very difficult for many councils to deliver, and SNP ministers will have known that for a long time.
“We need to see what measures they have taken to support schools to introduce social distancing, as this issue has been consistently flagged for months.”
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “Ministers will again discuss the partial reopening of schools at Cabinet on Tuesday.
“Guidance around return to school, including required mitigations to support safety such as social distancing, will be based on the latest scientific evidence and advice.
“We continue to work closely with the [Covid-19] Education Recovery Group, which is co-chaired with [local authorities’ body] Cosla and includes local authorities, as we progress these plans.”
