‘Gathering school kids pose virus spread risk’
Concerns raised as pupils appear to ignore social distancing
School pupils gathering in large crowds has sparked fears among resi dents i n East Kil bride as COVID-19 restrictions tighten.
Worrying pictures have emerged of droves of youngsters descending on the Village and shops in and around St Leonards Square at lunchtime with no social distancing to be seen.
F i r s t Mi n i s t e r Ni c o l a S t u r g e o n announced on Friday that lockdown measures in Lanarkshire were being increased following a rise in coronavirus cases with visits to other households no longer permitted.
But concerns have been raised by East Mains Community Council (EMCC), as well as residents, about school pupils gathering and possibly spreading the virus – now South Lanarkshire Council are again urging young people to follow the rules.
Chairman of EMCC, Bill Arthur , said: “The number of school pupils gathering on mass from nearby St Andrew’s and St Bride’s in the Village at lunchtime is a real concern to many of us.
“They are coming in hordes to the shops, like they did before COVID, and there is absolutely no social distancing going on.
“I know some of the older residents are actually scared to go out at lunchtime because there are so many of them
“And when they are on the street they do not have to wear masks.
“We are not entirely sure what the
answer is but surely the schools have some responsibility?”
This was echoed by News reader Clair Dorans who posted on social media : “Just seen a group of about 20 school kids at a wee deli in the village all standing outside chatting, not one of them had a mask on.”
A growing number of school pupils across Scotland have tested positive for COVID-19, with a positive test linked to Duncanrig High School last week.
The issue was the concern of many when the Scottish Government announced it was to send our kids back to school without the requirement for social distancing.
One EK News reader al s o f l agged up serious concerns over pupils from
Calderglen High.
She told us : “I made the mistake of going to Tesco’s in St Leonards at school out time and it was full of school kids without masks, standing in large groups inside and out the shopping area.
“They s war med al ong t he s t re et s just like before the virus, absolutely no social distancing going on anywhere, apparently is the same at lunchtime – it made me very scared and uncomfortable.”
Incidents have been flagged up at a number of schools further afield, but the government believes the infection has been transmitted in other settings such as house parties.
Meanwhile social gatherings are also limited to a maximum of six people from two households.
Lynn Sherr y, Head of Education at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “Pupils are repeatedly reminded about socialdistancing, the wearing of face coverings in shops and to adhere to any measures put in place by shopkeepers.
“We also have produced posters that are displayed in all of our secondar y schools to remind pupils on a constant basis of their responsibilities during this time.
“We can understand the concerns of local people where social distancing is not being maintained and we will continue to do all we can to alert pupils to the consequences of not adhering to all current recommendation, regulations and laws that apply to these situations.”