Concerns over pupils skipping quarantine

Scotland’s national clinical director has raised concerns with education bosses about pupils attending classes when they should be isolating after trips abroad.

Jason Leitch has told directors of education at local authorities that this, plus parents gathering outside school gates, could contribute to the spread of coronavirus.

It comes less than a week after children returned to school in Scotland, with some cases of coronavirus having already been recorded among secondary school pupils.

Mr Leitch voiced his concerns as the first minister pledged guidance on whether older pupils will be required to wear face coverings inside school will be kept under review.

It comes after Mr Leitch, chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith and chief nursing officer Professor Fiona Mcqueen wrote to Scotland’s 32 council directors of education, as well as the heads of independent and grant-aided schools, about “one particular aspect of the return to schooling across Scotland”.

Mr Leitch said: “The Scottish Government has been informed by our directors of public health about a number of cases of children and young people being in school after recently returning from countries not exempt from quarantine rules.

“I must remind you that the law requires everyone returning to Scotland from non-exempt countries to self-isolate at home for 14 days. This includes children as well as adults.

“People self-isolating should not go out to work or to school or visit public areas.

“Scotland’s directors of education will be speaking to head teachers and heads of early learning and childcare settings today to ensure this is made clear to parents, children and young people.”

Professor Jason Leitch.