Covid rules to ease as schools return – with masks a ‘personal choice’

With schools in the county set to return tomorrow (Tuesday) after the Easter break, the Council's Education Service is highlighting important changes to Covid restrictions to staff, parents and pupils.

This week sees a number of changes nationally to rules around the wearing of face masks and asymptomatic testing.

From today (18 April), face coverings will no longer be a legal requirement in any setting and that includes schools. The wearing of masks will become guidance only - however the advice is to make this a personal choice and to consider the local picture when deciding whether to wear a mask or not.

Schools will also continue to support staff and children and young people on good hand hygiene, including regular surface cleaning  both in schools and on school transport. Increased ventilation in classrooms will also continue, including the regular use of CO2 monitors to check on air quality.

In addition, asymptomatic testing in education settings - where staff and pupils were being asked to test for Covid twice a week regardless of whether they had Covid symptoms or not - ended on 17 April, as did the availability of free lateral flow tests.

Up until the end of April, those with Covid symptoms should isolate and seek a PCR test.

From 1 May, the general public will no longer be advised to seek a test if symptomatic – at this stage the general public health guidance will be to stay at home if you have tested and are positive, are unwell with Covid symptoms or have symptoms of Covid but generally feel well.

James Wylie is the Council's Executive Director of Education, Leisure and Housing.  He said: "It is no exaggeration to say that the last two years have been an extraordinary period for each and every one of us - not one person can say that their lives haven't been affected by the pandemic in some way.

"Covid-19 brought huge challenges to our school settings but our incredible school communities - staff, pupils and parents alike - undoubtedly rose to those challenges, accepting and adapting to the significant changes that had to be put in place to allow our schools to operate safely.

"In achieving this we followed the Scottish Government and Public Health rules and guidance and we will continue to do this within our school and nursery settings as that guidance changes and the rules ease – but we must all consider local circumstances in doing that.

"The wearing of face masks within communal areas of schools will now become a personal choice - anyone who wishes to wear a face mask can continue to do so. As in wider society it will remain important to be cautious and exercise personal responsibility, recognising that, where possible, it is safer to keep a distance from other people.

“We will of course continue to monitor the situation, and in the event of an outbreak, schools or establishments may need to activate contingency plans, including asking classes or year groups to stay at home - as well as the return for short time to on-line learning activities.”