Parents are being warned not to gather at school gates after dropping off kids in fears it could lead to a spike in Covid cases.
From Monday all primary school children in Scotland will return to full time face-to-face learning and ahead of this, Scottish Government chiefs are urging parents to adhere to social distancing rules.
Previously First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the 'risk' of a rise in community transmissions comes from parents gathering at the school gates, as opposed to children spreading it amongst themselves.
Ms Sturgeon said: “The evidence suggests that the key risk in re-opening schools isn’t transmission of the virus within schools – instead, the risk comes from the increased contact the re-opening sparks amongst the wider adult population.
“The risk is that schools going back might lead to parents socialising more, at the school gates for example, or returning to the workplace rather than working from home.”
Now, ahead of primaries 4 to 7 returning on Monday the message has been reiterated from the Scottish Government as millions of children prepare to get back to the classroom.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “As stated in our guidance, parents/carers should avoid contacts with other parents, children and young people at the school gates, on the way to school and after school in order to reduce community spread/outbreaks. Schools can assist with this by, for example, having staggered start/finish times.”
The UK Government's Schools Minister Nick Gibb, gave the same message to parents south if the border after all primary and secondary schools in England returned on March 5.
Mr Gibb warned parents to stick to the rules as schools reopen this week, as experts watch closely for any signs that the virus is beginning to spiral again.
