BID TO KEEP SCHOO

Union chief reveals contingency plans as another city university suspends face-to-face teaching

MASS gatherings and events that attract more than 500 people should be cancelled as of today until further notice, whether they take place indoors or outdoors.

The Scottish Government advice to cope with the spread of coronavirus to reduce the impact on emergency services.

The Scottish Government said: “The advice applies to mass events across all sectors, including sporting events, cultural events, and religious gatherings.”

Meanwhile, in what is a fast-changing situation, schools in Glasgow remain open today and are expected to stay open until the Easter break in three week’s time.

The head of Scotland’s biggest teaching union has said that there are planning for schools to stay open until April 3, when they are due to break for a fortnight.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of teaching Union the Educational Institute for Scotland, said contingency plans are being drawn up by the Government, councils and teaching unions.

He said: “The spring break is only a couple of weeks away. There is a hope to get to the spring break without blanket school closures and then if incidents of the virus have increased, it may be necessary to close all schools.

“The thinking is at the moment it may be too early to close all schools and it wouldn’t necessarily be doing anything to stop the virus spreading, and it could in fact encourage the spread of the virus as in schools, children are in a more regulated environment than at home when they go out with their pals.”

Pupils in Glasgow would be due to return to school as normal on

April 20. Meanwhile, a school in Newton Mearns is closed today after a confirmed case linked to the school.

Isobel Mair School and family centre will be shut as a precautionary measure.

East Renfrewshire Council said: “The school will reopen as soon as possible.”

All three universities in Glasgow have suspended classes.

Strathclyde University has become the latest to announce it is suspending face-to-face teaching from today.

Glasgow University and Glasgow Caledonian University had already announced the same precaution.

Glasgow University also confirmed three people have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has also suspended face-toface teaching as well as all public events.

Distance learning will be implemented until further notice. Performances, concerts and public events will also be suspended to protect the wellbeing of students and staff.

Flights from Glasgow Airport have been seriously disrupted and many people have had travel plans cancelled.

Easyjet has cancelled all flights to Spain from tomorrow and on Saturday Jet2 pulled all of its flights to Spain, some were turned back in mid air.

Easyjet said it is operating a number of “rescue flights” to ensure everyone who needs to travel to get home can do so.

Jet2 has also announced it is cancelling all flights to Lyon, Grenoble, Paris and Nice after France closed down shops bars and restaurants to limit the spread of coronavirus.