The Scottish government has published guidance from its scientific advisers on how to reopen schools safely on 11 August.

Here Tes Scotland sums up the main messages. However, the guidance on social distancing and school transport comes with a warning that it is based on “Scotland’s current low prevalence” and if coronavirus infection levels rise, the advice will change.

Coronavirus: Reopening schools safely

• There should be no social distancing between primary or secondary pupils, even though the role of secondary students in transmission is “less clear”.
• “Wherever possible” social distancing should remain in place between adults and between adults and children.
• Face coverings are not required for most children and are not required on dedicated school transport as this will be considered “an extension of the school estate”; pupils and their families should be encouraged to travel to school on foot, bike or scooter.
• Adults in schools do not need to wear face coverings unless they are interacting face-to-face and for “about 15 minutes or more” - but anyone wishing to wear face protection should be enabled to do so.
• Black, Asian and/or minority ethnic teachers and pupils are “at higher risk of severe disease from Covid-19” and any concerns “must be recognised and individual requests for additional protections should be supported where possible”. BAME staff, pupils and families should be “involved in decisions about additional protections”.
• All children should be taught good hand hygiene technique, and the importance of putting it into practice.
• Hand washing or hand sanitising should be required for everyone on every entry to school - or school transport.
• Children who experience neglect may also need additional support in practising hygiene measures; the guidance suggests provision for washing of clothing in schools may be beneficial and that teachers should be supported to meet these pupils’ needs.
• As much as possible, pupils should be kept in the same groups for the duration of the day and the advisers recommend “as far as possible” children are assigned seats which “they use consistently”.
• Sharing of resources should be minimised; schools should “maximise the use of outdoor learning”, and create smaller groups.
• Movement around schools should be limited but large gatherings in, for instance, assembly halls are “more likely to result in transmission”. Activities like assemblies, choirs, drama and gym should not be “reintroduced straight away”
• Movement between schools - including of temporary, supply and peripatetic staff - should be kept to a minimum.
• There should be regular “pauses” during the day for hand washing and for cleaning of hard surfaces.
• Teachers who have underlying health conditions or who have been shielding could support children in a similar position through remote learning.
• “As close as possible to zero tolerance of symptoms should be in place” - anyone with a high temperature, new continuous cough, loss of (or change in) sense of smell or taste, or who has had contact with someone with symptoms, should not attend school or should be asked to return home and be tested.