Schools The Scottish Government has issued guidance on reducing the risks in schools, which is non-statutory guidance to ensure a low risk and supportive environment for learning and teaching. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school directly. When to stay at home Children and young people with mild symptoms, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting. Mild symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they’re well enough to attend. All children and young people with respiratory symptoms should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing and/or sneezing. They should wash their hands after using or disposing of tissues. If you’re worried about your child, especially if they’re under two years, seek medical help. When to take a test It’s not recommended that children and young people are tested for coronavirus unless advised to by a healthcare professional. If a child or young person has a positive coronavirus test result, they should stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days after the day they took the test or from the day their symptoms started (whichever was earliest), if they can. After three days, if they feel well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower. This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults. Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive coronavirus test result should continue to attend as normal. Further information For advice on what symptoms to look out for and what to do if your child is experiencing these, when to stay home, what to do if you’re a close contact and how to access further support, please visit NHS Inform.
