Western Isles Council has announced some schools in the Uist area will remain closed in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 following a substantial outbreak.
Twenty-two cases have been recorded in South Uist with measures being implemented to best protect the public and to try to bring the outbreak back under control.
The local authority has announced Daliburgh School and Nursery and Lionacleit Secondary are to remain closed for regular attendance until the October break.
It comes after schools were closed today with the council stating that “a significant number of pupils and school staff are currently self-isolating” with “appropriate contact tracing measures” in place.
Some schools will however be allowed to reopen.
Iochdar School, Balivanich School and Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath, along with their associated pre-school provisions, will open on Thursday on a full-time regular basis.
Western Isles Council has said the situation will be reviewed on a daily basis and any changes will be immediately communicated through social media channels and group call systems.
A spokesman said: “All schools in the area have been deep-cleaned and risk assessments have been reviewed.
“IT support provision is being put in place for Daliburgh and Lionacleit in order that pupils can be provided with an online curriculum to access learning from home during the period of closure.
“The headteachers in Daliburgh and Lionacleit will contact all their parents and pupils to explain local arrangements.
“We will be re-issuing guidance to all staff, parents and pupils in terms of safe practices and behaviours and we would encourage everyone in our community to comply with all current restrictions and safe hygiene practices.”
As a result of the outbreak, visiting to the Uist and Barra Hospital was suspended, with the exception of essential visitors.
NHS Western Isles chief executive Gordon Jamieson said: “It’s really important that people continue to follow the rules. If we do that, we have the best chance of containing and suppressing the virus and that is our key priority at the moment.”
