SECONDARY schools in Renfrewshire will reopen full-time as planned after the Easter holidays, it has been confirmed.

Pupils will no longer have to follow strict two-metre physical distancing rules when they return but must wear face coverings throughout the school.

Primary schools had already resumed full-time teaching before the Easter break but a part-time blended learning system had been used in secondary schools.

Speaking at her coronavirus briefing yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said “virtually all” secondary pupils would be back in classrooms after the holidays.

The only exception is for those in the shielding category.

Ms Sturgeon said: “When the Easter holidays end, virtually all pupils will return to school full-time, so secondary schools will go back to in-person, full-time learning.

“This, I know, will be a huge relief to many children and young people and, of course, to many parents and carers.

“By the end of April, we want to see children on the shielding list get back to school in person as well.”

All residents in Renfrewshire will also be able to get tested for Covid-19 twice weekly under plans announced yesterday.

Ms Sturgeon said the start date and further details for the lateral flow testing scheme will be provided within days.

“This testing will be in addition to, and will supplement, the additional testing routes that are in place in priority areas,” she added.

“This more universal approach to asymptomatic testing will allow us to assess the impact that might have on further suppressing transmission.”

The First Minister said she hopes to confirm whether further lockdown changes planned for April 26, such as opening hospitality and more retail businesses, will take place or not at a further briefing on April 20.