Will schools open first?

‘Different options’ being examined for eventual exit strategy, says Sturgeon

SCHOOLS could be the first to re-open under a potential plan for exiting the lockdown outlined by Nicola Sturgeon yesterday.

The First Minister said the Scottish Government was looking at ‘different options’ to lift restrictions when the Covid19 outbreak begins to decline.

However, she stressed that the easing of strict measures that have already been in place for more than three weeks was unlikely to happen soon. Speaking at her daily briefing, Miss Sturgeon said various options were being discussed behind the scenes. However, no ‘fixed decisions’ have yet been reached.

She also said there was not ‘enough evidence’ to suggest that the coronavirus pandemic was nearing an end.

Under the present restrictions, people can leave their home only to shop for essentials, go to work, take exercise or care for those who are vulnerable.

The First Minister began by listing the measures currently in place, including school and business closures and social distancing rules. She then said it was being considered whether or not any of them could be safely relaxed before the ultimate end of lockdown. She added: ‘For example, could you see schools go back earlier than the measures generally being lifted? Could you see some businesses going back, some shops reopening?’

Some European countries have started to relax restrictions. But Miss Sturgeon warned care must be taken not to release measures ‘too quickly’ amid fears it might lead to a rise in Covid-19 cases.

The SNP leader has previously indicated that Scotland could consider lifting the lockdown in a different timeframe or stages from the rest of the UK.

She added: ‘There’s no desire not to be open about the list of options that obviously are under consideration, because it’s lifting the restrictions that are in place.’

Her words came as Professor Linda Bauld from the University of Edinburgh warned that the public would not continue to be as supportive. She said: ‘There will come a tipping point when the cost of the current restrictions outweighs the benefits.’