Guidance around masks in classroom not changing in Scotland

The First Minister has confirmed there will be no immediate change to the guidance for secondary school pupils in Scotland to wear masks in classrooms.

Scottish Tory leader, Douglas Ross, has repeatedly pushed for the rules to be relaxed, as they have been in England. On Tuesday he again urged the First Minister to change the rules as she updated MSPs on Covid-19.

Now is not the time

But, Nicola Sturgeon told him now is not the time.

"We are not, at this stage, recommending any immediate change to the Reducing Risks in Schools guidance.

"However, this is being kept under close and regular review for schools and the early learning and childcare sector.

"The Advisory Sub-Group on Education is meeting again today.

"We will consider carefully any recommendations it makes, and continue to seek its advice on issues such as groupings within schools, and the requirement for secondary school pupils to wear face coverings.

"On the issue of face coverings, I know young people want to see the back of them as soon as possible.

"But I also know that many young people understand and agree, especially when cases in the younger age group are rising, that face coverings do provide important protection."

First Minister accused of 'not following public health advice'

Questioning the First Minister, Mr Ross said: "Right now, adults can sit in workplaces and pubs without face masks, but pupils in the classroom are still required to wear them.

"The First Minister isn't even following public health advice on this."

Mr Ross quoted Dr Christine Tait-Burkard, of Edinburgh University, who said earlier this month that masks in schools could be scrapped as early as February, as well as the national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, who said the "day is coming" for the end of the guidance.

"I hope the time is coming when that won't be necessary," the First Minister said in response to the Scottish Tory leader.

"But anyone with a degree of responsibility who, in the face of what I have reported today - a 41% increase in cases in the under 15 age group - who says that this is the moment to say that young people no longer need to wear face coverings, frankly, isn't showing responsibility."

The First Minister said it was important to take decisions responsibly on the removal of restrictions and not "pluck dates out of mid-air".

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