Schools and nurseries in Perth and Kinross are set to shut at the end of the week, following an announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Speaking today (Wednesday, March 18), Ms Sturgeon said closing schools down was “inevitable by the end of the week” due to the coronavirus outbreak.
She said the scientific position has moved in the direction of advising schools to be closed, and she said they may not reopen before the summer holidays.
John Swinney, who is education minister and MSP for Perthshire North, also tweeted: “Schools and nurseries will close from this Friday Nicola Sturgeon announces.
“I appreciate this will be very disruptive but it is necessary.
“We are working with councils to support young people preparing for SQA exams, are vulnerable and whose parents are essential workers.”
Scotland’s chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood added the decision was a measure to be taken seriously, and what has changed is the numbers.
This comes as a third person dies in Scotland from coronavirus, as the number of confirmed cases reaches 227.
The PA has contacted Perth and Kinross Council for a statement on the matter.
