Question reference: S5W-32358
- Date lodged: 7 October 2020
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 23 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether physical distancing is possible in all schools that are operating at full capacity.
Answer
Implementation of the agreed school reopening guidance is the responsibility of local authorities and schools, working closely with their school communities.
As a precautionary approach, our guidance recommends that distancing is maintained where possible between young people in secondary schools, provided that does not introduce capacity constraints and prevent attendance. This is a proportionate, risk-based approach, that goes further than the current scientific advice on school reopening requires.
We also required risk assessments to be carried out in individual schools in relation to the guidance. We would expect those assessments to consider capacity issues within individual schools, and any impact on the ability of adults and young people to maintain physical distancing.