Schools, universities and churches forced to close as bug tightens grip

SCOTLAND is bracing itself for more coronavirus misery this week with several schools, universities and churches forced to close as the virus spreads.

Dundee, Strathclyde, Glasgow and Aberdeen universities are among those which have suspended all face-toface teaching and learning amid the outbreak.

Napier University has closed its doors too.

Isobel Mair School and Nursery in Newton Mearns, near Glasgow, has also been closed in what was described as “a precautionary measure”.

Dunblane High School will be closed to all pupils and staff as of today, as will Murroes Primary

School in Angus. All other schools around the Stirling council area will be open as normal.

All schools on the Shetland mainland are to close to pupils this week.

Early learning and childcare provision for children and young people will also be shut.

Shetland Islands Council said the action was being taken for “operational and resilience reasons”.

Smaller schools on Fair Isle, Fetlar and Foula will remain open and all schools will remain open for staff.

Saint Augustine’s Church in Coatbridge shut its doors for Sunday Mass yesterday after a young parishioner tested positive for Covid-19. The 2020 Glasgow Kiltwalk is among the major outdoor events which have been postponed due to the outbreak.

Following official advice from the Scottish Government, the event, which was set to take place on April 26, will be rescheduled for a later date.

It is hoped that the event will go ahead later this year, with a new date to be confirmed.

About 10,000 participants had been registered to take part.

A total of 4240 tests have been concluded in Scotland with 4087 negative.

The Department of Health confirmed 1140 have now tested positive for the virus around the UK.