We continue to see a high number of COVID cases in schools and this is likely to increase in the near future as we approach the peak of the omicron wave.
Staff in schools should be aware of the current Scottish Government guidance for schools. Contact us if you have any concerns whatsoever.
Shirley-Ann Sommerville, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, wrote to the trade unions on these, with the main points
- schools must undertake at least one CO2 assessment per week of all learning, teaching and play spaces—more often for areas of concern
- air cleaning and filtration cannot be used as a replacement for natural ventilation from opening windows and doors.
- the Scottish Government will extend support to schools with issues with ventilation or unacceptably cold temperatures due to ventilation.
Concerns in schools
The Scottish Government have ofered to help in cases of concern where there is unsatisfactory ventilation or unacceptably cold temperatures due to the ventilation requirements, when local processes have been exhausted without a resolution.
Please let us know if you know of any situations in need of attention so we can ensure these are seen to locally and, failing that, escalated.
Air filtration
We continue to champion the use of air filtration, using the likes of HEPA filters, as there is a growing body of evidence about their efficacy at clearing airbourne virus particles.
Sign the Zero COVID Scotland petition to call on the Scottish Government to
- offer vaccinations to 5 to 11 year olds
- invest in ventilation and air filtration for schools
- campaign to encourage child vaccination, mask wearing, ventilation and physical distancing.
Event: COVID in Scotland—what do we face and what can we do?
On Saturday 22 January at 2pm, Zero COVID Scotland will host virologist Dr Jeremy Rossman as he speaks on what ‘living with the virus’ would mean in an online event.