Secondary pupils in Scotland will have to continue to wear face coverings in schools when they return from the October break, the Scottish Government has announced.
The safety measures that are currently in place will remain in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus in schools across the country.
It means pupils in secondary schools will have to wear coverings in classrooms when they head back from their holidays.
Staff in primary and secondary schools, as well as older kids, will still be required to have a face mask on in communal areas in buildings.
The measures have been put in place to allow protection against the deadly virus while more 12 to 15-year-olds get their covid vaccine, according to the Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said no timescale has been put on when restrictions would be lifted but admitted it would be done at the "earliest possible time".
She added: "In recent weeks we have seen the previous sharp decline in COVID-19 case numbers starting to level off, and that is why we have decided to adopt a cautious approach and maintain safety mitigations in school for the time-being.
"Progress with vaccinating 12-15 year olds has been remarkable and is already over 40 per cent.
"However, this was only rolled out a few weeks ago and allowing further time will mean that that encouraging figure rises even higher.
"This decision is based on advice from senior clinicians and takes account of the most recent data. We will continue to monitor case rates on a weekly basis, with a view to lifting restrictions at earliest possible time.
"While I fully understand that this will be disappointing news for some young people and their parents, as has been the situation throughout, the safety of children, young people, and all education staff, remains the overriding priority.
"There is no room for complacency and we must all continue to remain vigilant to reduce the spread of COVID-19."
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
