Dumfries and Galloway schools were "well prepared" for return of pupils after Christmas break

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Regional education director Gillian Brydson insists Dumfries and Galloway’s schools were “well prepared” for pupils who returned to lessons on Friday.In a message to parents and carers, she gave a reassurance that the council has “plans in place to continue to take every step we can to reduce transmission of the virus and keep our communities safe”.All secondary pupils were encouraged to take a lateral flow test ahead of returning to school and she is asking parents to encourage their children to stick with a twice weekly testing regime.And she stressed the importance of pupils reporting the results – even when they are negative.The director said: “This means that our public health colleagues have the best possible information to understand the prevalence of Covid-19 in our community, and, for those with positive results, so the correct advice can be given to those in close contact, to prevent onward spread of the virus.”Following the latest update from Holyrood, on January 5, guidance has been updated to reflect when pupils need to isolate.Close contacts who are aged under 18 years and four months, can take daily lateral flow tests for seven days instead of isolation – provided they are negative and they remain without symptoms.Positive cases are advised to self-isolate for 10 days.

However, if the individual returns two consecutive negative tests on from day six – taken at least 24 hours apart – then the individual can end isolation.Wearing face coverings, social distancing and hand sanitising will continue, and previous guidance on ventilation applies including opening windows and doors.Among the revised guidance for schools is to reintroduce in indoor spaces, where practicable, minimised contacts through the use of