SCOTLAND’S First Minister has announced masks will no longer be required in classrooms from later this month.
Nicola Sturgeon, speaking in a statement at the start of FMQs, said the Advisory Sub-Group on Education has recommended phasing out masks in classrooms after the February half-term break.
The change is to apply to both pupils and staff from February 28, she told the Chamber.
READ MORE: Fall in Covid rates masks 'rapid' rise amongst children
The SNP leader said: "This change will reduce barriers to communication in the classroom, and reduce any wellbeing impacts which arise from the use of face coverings – for example their use in support learning and teaching.
"Of course, any young person or staff member who wishes to still wear a face covering in the classroom should be fully supported to do so.
"We expect that face coverings will still be required in indoor communal areas of schools for a period after 28 February."
She added: "In arriving at its recommendation, the Advisory Sub-Group pointed to reducing case rates for secondary aged pupils, falling hospitalisation rates across all age categories, and that the estimated R rate is below 1 – as well as increasing vaccination of young people.
"These changes represent a further step in allowing children and young people to return to more normality in school, after many, many months of sacrifices. I hope it will be welcomed across the country."
It comes after Boris Johnson announced the remaining domestic coronavirus restrictions in England – including the legal requirement to self-isolate – could be lifted within weeks.
The current regulations expire on March 24, but the Prime Minister has said he will end them a month early as long as “encouraging trends” in the data continue.
The Scottish Government is unlikely to go as far as dropping all rules when it publishes its strategy for living with Covid in the months ahead on February 22.
The plans will be debated by MSPs, meaning any changes could be several weeks behind England.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson ending self-isolation in England a 'dead cat' plot
The Scottish Government is also moving to extend its Covid powers until September 24.
The powers, which include the use of face coverings and the vaccine certification scheme, were due to expire in March.
Earlier on Thursday, Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf did not rule out easing measures sooner than planned but said Holyrood would do so in a “thoughtful” way driven by science, as he criticised Johnson’s move as “off the cuff”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel