A councillor has raised concerns over pupils congregating in large numbers at St Leonards shopping mall when schools return this week.
Independent Jim Wardhaugh (pictured) fears the mall will be swamped with high school pupils from nearby Calderglen during lunch breaks.
He is calling for measures to be put in place to mitigate any risks, warning that social distancing will be nearly impossible in what he says is a relatively confined space.
Councillor Wardhaugh told the News: “Under normal circumstances the square and the mall is packed full with school children during the lunch break.
“I know they are going back in a phased approach this week but what happens when they are all back?
“In others areas social distancing is easier, but St Leonards mall is not a large space and you could easily have hundreds of youngsters descending on it , and a lot of them not wearing masks.
“I very much doubt the schools would allow that many pupils in an enclosed space, such as a hall, at one time under the current circumstances so how is this any different? And most don’t simply just go and get their lunch and leave, most of them sit in the mall.”
And Councillor Wardhaugh also hopes a system can be put in place at the local Tesco store to maintain social distancing if a high number of pupils use it during the lunch break.
“I have spoken to Tesco and suggested that one entrance be used for school pupils to help control numbers,” he added.
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“But I would urge parents to give youngsters a packed lunch where possible to avoid large numbers leaving school grounds.
“And I have also asked the council if the school can help get the message out as well to avoid any issues.”
Lynn Sherry, Head of Education, said: “Pupils will be reminded about social-distancing, wearing of face coverings in shops and also to adhere to any measures put in place by shopkeepers.”
