Scotland to reintroduce stricter Covid measures

The Scottish Government has updated its guidance to reduce the risks of COVID-19 in schools in light of the Omicron variant.

Safety mitigations that were already in place must continue to be followed and some measures that were previously relaxed are being reintroduced.

Key changes include a strengthened approach to minimising contacts, primarily through the reintroduction of groupings where practical.

A strengthened approach to self-isolation for household contacts of positive cases and tightened restrictions on school visitors.

There’s updated guidance on regular ventilation and CO2 monitoring, as well as measures aimed at increasing the uptake of regular asymptomatic testing.

The guidance outlines a requirement for schools and local authorities to provide essential support for particular groups, including vulnerable children and young people, in the event of temporary school closures at a local level.

Local authorities and schools should implement the changes as soon as they can from the start of the January term.
Updated guidance for Early Learning and Childcare, childminder and school age childcare services has also been published.