Nicola Sturgeon: 'we are reviewing decision to keep schools open'

Nicola Sturgeon has said the government is reviewing the decision to keep Scotland's schools open amid concerns that children could carry the virus home to parents and grandparents.

The First Minister also moved to reassure hospitality businesses after yesterday urging the public not to go to pubs, restaurants and cinemas in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus, as industry leaders said they had been "left in limbo" by government.

Both the UK and Scottish governments have been criticised for not explicitly ordering pubs, clubs and restaurants to close to protect public health, as it means they cannot claim compensation on their insurance.

The British Beer and Pub Association has already written to Boris Johnson, demanding urgent steps are taken to prevent mass job losses and permanent pub closures.

Nicola Sturgeon has said she has not ruled out closing schools, and has tried to assure hospitality businesses there will be financial help.

She also said the government was reviewing the decision to keep Scotland's schools open amid concerns that children could carry the virus home to parents and grandparents.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland this morning she said: "It's not a political statement but we're working closely with UK government and some powers and levers to intervene lie with UK government.

"Right now do not have the powers to order premises to close. There's emergency legislation that will go through Westminster which will deliver some of these powers.

"I do think it's reasonable for pubs and restaurants and the wider hospitality sector to seek clarity but we cannot order that right now, that's why we're advising people to stay away but the advice will develop in weeks to come."

British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said the industry was facing "an existential crisis as a direct result of the guidance".

She added: "Thousands of pubs and hundreds of thousands of jobs will be lost in the very short term unless a proactive package creating cash and liquidity is provided immediately to the industry. Forced pub closures without a meaningful support package will have a catastrophic financial and social impact."

Ms Sturgeon said that in Scotland a "package of business rates support" had already been announced for businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors. She said it was "inevitable" that "significant additional measures" would need to be taken. The Chancellor also yesterday announced a further £780m for Scotland to help cope with coronavirus.

The First Minister has said she is not ruling out school closures and will be "considering the issue of schools" today.

She said: "I understand the concerns about schools. But the reasons there have been no blanket closure of schools might sound counter-intuitive but we can't stop children gathering together and the advice has been it's safer for them to be in school where they can be given the right advice on hand hygiene."

She added: "Children need to be looked after, and we're advising grandparents to socially distance, so in terms of making sure we have the ability especially for key workers, we have to be careful about the timings of decisions

"Measures we're taking right now might have to be in place for a considerable amount of time, not just a week or two or a month, so it's important to get the timing right

"There are practical considerations too - many teachers and children will be part of the groups we're saying to socially distance so this is under active consideration. I will endeavor and strive to be as open and as frank and transparent about the reasons and decisions we're taking as possible."

Admitting there was a contradiction in advice, she said: "There is a sense that having children at school is safer in terms of public health.

"That's a position we will continue to consider. This is not a closed book. We will be considering this over the course of today. We're considering these things incredibly carefully, none of these decisions are easy to take."

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