Lockdown extended to end of February - but schools to start phased return

Scotland's coronavirus lockdown is being extended until the end of February - but schools will start returning on a phased basis.

The first minister says all children in early learning settings and pupils in primaries one to three will go back to classes from February 22 - as long as the virus continues to be suppressed.

Some senior pupils will also be allowed to go back on a part-time basis.

The details will be confirmed after a further review in two weeks' time.

Nicola Sturgeon says she is "cautiously optimistic" that she will be able to gradually ease some measures from the start of March, if the number of cases keeps dropping.

Scotland's biggest teaching union, the EIS, says it wants to see case numbers fall "substantially" before classrooms are reopened.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary, said: "Clearly, any school return remains contingent upon continued progress on community suppression of the virus and that is not a given so we need to see infection levels coming down substantially before the return date can be confirmed.

"Whilst a phased return is a more cautious approach, we are surprised that the first minister did not discuss the need for physical distancing amongst P1-P3 pupils, given that she clearly stated the new variant impacts on all age groups, whereas previously younger children seemed to be less directly involved in transmission than adults.

"The EIS believes that a blended learning model, i.e. implementing physical distancing, would be a safer strategy to deploy and we would need to see strong scientific evidence to justify the government’s approach. Frankly, in the absence of such evidence this model creates unnecessary risk for staff and pupils."

The first minister has also confirmed plans to roll out testing to people who work in education settings, and senior pupils.

Mr Flanagan added: "The availability of regular resting for staff is something the EIS has called for, so that is welcome, as is its extension to senior phase pupils which will offer some reassurance to their families.

"The EIS also notes the limited number of senior pupils able to return at any one time, but this must be organised in a way which explicitly enables physical distancing amongst pupils."

Meanwhile the Scottish Government has announced its £500 self-isolation support grant is being extended to more people.

It will now be available to workers earning the real living wage or less, as well as those in receipt of a council tax reduction because of low income.

People with caring responsibilities for someone over 16 who is asked to self-isolate, where the carer themselves meet the other eligibility criteria, can also get the grant.

In addition, the Scottish Government is lengthening the period during which people can apply for the money. They will now be able to apply within 28 days of being told to self-isolate.

The changes will take effect from February 16, to allow local authorities time to change their systems and application forms, but eligibility will be backdated to February 2, making an additional 200,000 people eligible if they are asked to isolate.