Coronavirus measures in Scottish schools have been updated amid growing cases of the Covid-19 Omicron variant – now the dominant strain in the country.
Ahead of Christmas holidays next week, the government has tightened rules to reduce transmission of the virus.
Self-isolation, contact tracing and testing requirements regardless of age, vaccination status or a negative PCR result have been strengthened.
There has been a reintroduction of minimising contacts and reducing school visitors.
Guidance around ventilation has been stepped-up, and limits on school trips brought back.
Omicron now accounts for 51.4% of cases in the country, with a further seven coronavirus deaths and 4336 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.
On Friday, Nicola Sturgeon said: “The tsunami I warned about a week ago is now starting to hit us.”
She was speaking as new guidance came into effect for workplaces and businesses legally requiring them to take reasonable measures to minimise transmission of coronavirus.
Key changes in schools include:
- Reintroducing groupings indoors where practical
- Reducing school visitors
- Stopping parent councils and other activities on school estates
- Tightening of advice around school visits and trips
- Self-isolation for high risk and household contacts for 10 days regardless of age, vaccination status or a negative PCR result
- Requirement for schools to provide essential in-person support to vulnerable young people
For more information about the measures in place in schools in Scotland, you can find the government’s latest guidance here.
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