Teaching union warns of spike in infections after schools reopen

Reopening Scotland’s schools could be “a catalyst to a resurgence” of coronavirus if the Scottish Government’s guidance is not strengthened, a teaching union has warned.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week announced all schools should have reopened full-time by August 18 “at the latest”, with Scotland deemed to have suppressed the spread of Covid-19 enough to allow all pupils to return.

But the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has written to Education Secretary John Swinney expressing “significant concerns” about the proposals to reopen schools.

It urges the Scottish Government not to risk the reopening of schools causing further spread of Covid-19, arguing some of the safety guidance contains “inherent contradiction” about how physical distancing would work.

The letter, from EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan on behalf of the union’s executive committee, suggests urgent changes to the guidance, as well as regular coronavirus testing for school staff regardless of whether they have symptoms.

Other areas of concern, according to the union, include the lack of specific practical guidance on physical distancing, class sizes and the implications for public transport and shops near schools.

On Thursday, Mr Swinney said he was “very confident” his son will be safe when he returns to school.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Swinney tried to reassure parents who may be anxious about their children returning to schools.

He said: “It’s been a difficult period for everybody and there’s adjustment that has got to be made.”