Plan to have schools deep cleaned

Schools in the north and north-east will undergo a “deep clean” ahead of the return of pupils, it has been confirmed.

Councils have confirmed plans to oversee the disinfecting of its buildings before youngsters get back to class.

Returning school pupils have not set foot in schools since March.

Despite the local lockdown measures being reintroduced yesterday, Aberdeen City Council is hoping to have the first pupils back for orientation sessions on Wednesday.

The following Monday, August 17, is scheduled as

The Hawthorn Bar in Aberdeen

the first day all children and young people will be back to regular classes.

Yesterday the local authority confirmed all schools would be “deep cleaned” before pupils returned.

It follows concerns of an outbreak at an Aberdeen secondary.

It is understood four workers were sent home from the school on Monday to self isolate, having had access to the school for several days.

One is thought to have attended The Hawthorn Bar in Holburn Street, the first of more than 20 city pubs the latest cluster of cases has been traced through. Staff continue to attend the building, with private cars and council vans populating the car park yesterday.

The council and NHS Grampian refused to comment on the grounds it could betray the confidentiality of the infected workers.

Meanwhile Highland Council also committed to a programme of deep cleaning at school buildings.

Northern schools are also expected to return to class on Wednesday, with the “vast majority” attending on a phased basis.

It will take until the Scottish Government’s deadline day of August 18, for all to be back in school however.