First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced new rules for school children along with guidelines for schools.
She spoke to Members of Scottish Parliament today to set out the guidelines for Scotland as the country moves away from Level 0, and the tier system all together.
Sturgeon has stated that the requirement for classes to isolate will lift from August 9, and those aged five-17 who are identified as a close contact, will need to take a PCR test, but can end their quarantine if they test negative.
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Children under the age of 5 will be encouraged but not required to take a PCR test.
Marking how important this is as children and parents prepare for a new school year, in her statement Sturgeon said: "This means that the blanket isolation of whole classes will no longer be routine. Instead a more targeted approach will identify close contacts at highest risk of infection.
"So fewer young people will have to self-isolate, and most will be asked to self-isolate for a much shorter period of time."
However, the First Minister added that the 'consequence' of lifting the need to self isolate, means that current mitigations such as face masks will continue to stay in place in schools for the first six weeks of the new academic year. It will then be subject to review.
This is in line with advice from their Expert Advisory Sub-Group on Education.
Sturgeon noted that this reflects the 'unique environment of schools' where there are large numbers of unvaccinated children and young people mixing with adult staff.
Staff must keep at least one metre distance from each other and children and young people while on school grounds.
Children over aged 12 and school staff must also wear face masks, including those in secondary schools to wear face coverings during lessons and while inside the school building.
She added: "I am acutely aware that many young people find this difficult - and it will be kept under review - but for now, we consider this an important protection for them, and for others in the school."
Staff and secondary school pupils are also being asked to take lateral flow tests regularly.
The First Minister is asking the to take a lateral flow test one or two days before they return after the holidays, and then to take tests twice a week after that.
Turning to those moving onto higher education, Sturgeon announced that the Scottish Government are working with further and higher education sector on plans for the year ahead.
Students will be encouraged to take a PCR test before any move to term-time accommodation, and then twice a week after than.
We are also working with the further and higher education sector on plans for the year ahead. Specific guidance on operating beyond Level 0 for universities and colleges has now been published. In addition, students will be encouraged to take a PCR test before any move to term-time accommodation, and then to test twice a week after that.
The First Minister also noted the importance of good ventilation and has announced that the Scottish Government is preparing to strengthen the guidance on this and confirmed today that they are making an additional £10 million available to local authorities to support this work.
She said: "The new guidance, published today, makes clear that all schools and day care services for children must have access to CO2 monitoring – through either fixed or mobile devices - and that these should be used to assess the quality of ventilation in schools and childcare settings, and identify any necessary improvements."
The First Minister also added: "Ventilation is one of the most important ways in which the risk of Covid transmission can be reduced – and so improving it will be vital, now and in the future, to ensure that schools and childcare centres are as safe as possible. "
The First Minister acknowledged the difficulties parents and childrens have faced in the last 16 months have but hopes there will now be less disruptions.
She said: The last year and a half has been difficult and stressful for children and young people, parents, and staff working in education settings.
"I am grateful to them for the understanding and cooperation shown. The new school and academic year will still have challenges – but I hope it will bring fewer disruptions, and allow a much more normal learning environment."
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