Phased school return hoped for Feb 22

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced several updates to the COVID-19 lockdown, including a planned phased return for schools, a mandatory travel quarantine, and the possibility of restrictions easing in March.

Addressing the Scottish Parliament, the FM announced current restrictions, including the stay-at-home mandate, would remain until at least the end of February, as cases “clearly remains too high.”

Notably, the FM outlined plans for a “phased, albeit gradual” return to school from Monday, February 22, providing the rules are followed for a “little while longer”.

The outline saw a planned full-time return for early learning and childcare for those below school age, a full-time return for primary one to primary threes, and a part-time return for a limited number of secondary school pupils (those who need to complete in-school practical work deemed essential for completing national qualifications.)

These plans were said to be subject to final approval in two weeks time.

Also announced was a “mandatory quarantine requirement” for those entering Scotland from any other country, including within the UK.

Details of how and when this will be implemented were not revealed, but are expected to follow soon.

The FM said she was “cautiously” optimistic about seeing an easing of restrictions beginning in March, as she referenced that data shows a potential peak has been reached in hospital admissions and is “stabilising” and shows signs of beginning to fall.

The FM said: “Statistics do show real progress”, but warned lifting restrictions too soon could cause cases to rise.