THERE are calls for regular coronavirus testing for Wee County school staff following last week's announcement that children will return to full-time education in August.

As previously highlighted by the Advertiser, if Scotland continues to make good progress in suppressing Covid-19, children will be in classrooms full-time after the summer break.

The previously proposed blended approach, for which ideas were already being developed locally, remains plan B.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell has called on the government to introduce regular testing for teachers and school staff to aid the safe return of learners.

The Scottish Green representative said: "I know that a great number of people in the Wee County will be breathing a sigh of relief at the announcement that pupils will return to school full-time in August.

"For teachers, school support staff and their families, however, there remain a lot of questions about how this can be done safely.

"Scottish Greens have proposed regular testing of all school staff in Clackmannanshire.

"The education secretary has confirmed that he is supportive of this proposal.

"He must now commit that it will in fact be a reality when schools return.

"Teachers deserve the reassurance that regular testing will be in place before they return to the classroom."

A spokesman for the Scottish Government confirmed to the Advertiser that work is ongoing to implement an "additional testing based assurance system" in the lead up.

And guidance is also in place for children that tested positive for coronavirus for attending school.

The spokesman said: "Contact tracers would speak with them and their parent or carer to identify other contacts.

"This may also involve speaking with the school to understand what social distancing and other measures have been put in place.

"Anyone deemed to have been at risk of transmission will be contacted and asked to self-isolate for 14 days."

Current guidance for contacts of confirmed cases does not require the wider household to self-isolate.

The spokesman added: "If a cluster of cases are identified associated with a school, suggesting a localised outbreak, the local health protection team will work closely with partners to undertake a risk assessment and identify appropriate steps to help contain this.

"Health protection teams in Scotland have well established procedures and guidance for similar scenarios.

"Public Health Scotland works in close partnership with health protection teams and local authorities to manage incidents such as these."