Schools to stay closed in Scotland as lockdown continues

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that Scotland’s lockdown has been extended until at least the middle of February, with most school pupils to continue learning from home.

With transmission of the virus deemed still too high to ease restrictions, Sturgeon told MSPs that she hopes schools will be able to at least begin a phased return to the classroom in the middle of next month.

School buildings and nurseries have been closed to most pupils since the start of term, with all but the children of some key workers and vulnerable pupils learning from home.

The First Minister said: "Any relaxation of lockdown while case numbers, even though they might be declining, nevertheless remain very high, could quickly send the situation into reverse."

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