Home   News   Article

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead urges Scotland's students to lie low before Christmas break


By Alistair Whitfield

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

Richard Lochhead has advised Scotland's students to only go out for essential reasons before they return home for the Christmas holidays.

Mr Lochhead, the country’s Higher Education Minister as well as Moray's MSP, issued the advice while talking at the Scottish Parliament today.

He said: "We will advise any student who wants to return home for the end of term to voluntarily reduce their social mixing for two weeks before going home.

"This means going out only for essential reasons and exercise."

The advice is aimed at limiting the spread of Covid-19 when Scotland's 80,000 students return home for the Christmas break.

Mr Lochhead added that before they return home students will also be offered tests for the virus, whether they have symptoms or not.

He continued: "Mr Lochhead said: "Covid 19 is a challenge for all of us, our students included.

"We have all worked hard to support students in gaining an education this term, and like everyone else we have learnt and adapted as we have progressed.

"Our challenge is to look after the wellbeing of our students by enabling them to return home, while at the same time keeping them, their loves ones, and communities safe.

"Testing will play a role – but only a limited role.

"My message to students is, ‘thank you for all your efforts, and please keep doing all you can to keep yourself and others safe’.

"I have no doubt the majority of students will want to act responsibly, and will follow the measures that will be set out.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More