Rule: ‘Too soon for Scotland to cut back distancing in schools’

Scotland is not in a position to follow Northern Ireland in cutting social distancing in schools to one metre, the country’s national clinical director has said.

But Professor Jason Leitch added that the Scottish Government will look again at guidance and will “in time” rule on any change.

Most pupils in Northern Ireland are to return full-time after the summer break after ministers cut social distancing between pupils, while keeping two metres for teachers.

Asked about the issue on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland show Prof Leitch said: “We’re not in a position right now to adjust that distance and will advise the first minister what we think should happen in the next couple of weeks.

“Then the first minister and the deputy first minister in charge of education will make a judgment.”

Prof Leitch said that while he does not think the science on social distancing is going to change, the prevalence of the virus can help inform decisions.

National clinical director Professor Jason Leitch says the two-metre rule will be revisited in the weeks ahead