Plans in place to cut transmission among pupils and staff
Schools in South Lanarkshire have been equipped to reduce the spread of Covid.
At the Education Resources Committee meeting last week, the range of restrictions and measures that have been put in place across schools in the area was outlined.
The Scottish Government published new guidance on reducing the risks of Covid in schools and South Lanarkshire’s efforts were discussed at the meeting, including what had been done and future plans to reduce transmission rates.
Firstly, it was announced that the council does not intend to chop any door panels to increase airflow in classrooms, a proposal that was discussed by the Scottish Government.
The council has undertaken a programme of monitoring
CO2 levels in learning spaces and the Housing and Technical Resources rolled out monitoring across South Lanarkshire schools last week. All secondary-aged pupils and staff are encouraged to test for Covid-19 twice per week at home using lateral flow tests and to enter their results to the NHS portal.
Schools also are encouraged to minimise large groups in indoor spaces, meaning large assemblies or gatherings should not take place. Face coverings should continue to be worn by staff when they cannot keep a two-metre distance from other staff and children.
All pupils in secondary schools are expected to wear a face covering during classes and in communal areas.
Vaccinations for young people in South Lanarkshire are above the national average, with
66.8 percent of 12- to 15-year-olds being vaccinated compared to 66.2 per cent across
Scotland.
Councillor Lynsey Hamilton for Clydesdale West, praised the statistic and asked if schools are promoting the vaccine.
She said:“the vaccination rates are obviously higher in South Lanarkshire compared to the national statistics.
“But I was just wondering if there is any work done by the schools to encourage pupils to get their vaccine?”
It was stated that schools are at the forefront in encouraging parents and carers in taking up vaccinations and partnership working with NHS Lanarkshire has helped due to communication on social media.