All Caithness schools set to close amid coronavirus crisis
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ALL schools in Caithness and across Scotland will close on Friday due to the coronavirus pandemic.
First Minster, Nicola Sturgeon, made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon that pupils will not return to the classroom before the Easter holidays after tomorrow.
In her announcement Ms Sturgeon said that people "should not assume" schools and nurseries would reopen after the Easter holidays.
"At this stage I can not promise they will reopen before the summer holidays," she added.
The First Minister said she understood how disruptive the move would be to "life and society" but that it was a "measure of the seriousness" of the situation.
Donna Manson, chief executive of Highland Council said: “Highland Council will need time to assess the impact of this announcement on our workforce and our communities as well as on the provision of support for our young people.
"Further information will be forthcoming tomorrow, and please be assured that our central education team have been working extensively on providing learning materials for use at home.
"More detail will be given to parents and carers and pupils from the council later this week."
Mrs Manson said that details about free school meals will also be forthcoming in the days ahead.
"We are expecting further information from the Scottish Government on what will be happening for older pupils regarding exams and the council will provide further updates as they come."
One father, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had already removed his son from Wick High School as he felt it was an unsafe environment with few precautions being taken to avoid the virus.
"Children are going from class to class and not being made to wash their hands.
"I think there is no risk assessment or safety protocol put in place and the whole of the Highlands is an accident waiting to happen."
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