Schools in Scotland: Devi Sridhar warns Covid lockdown may need to last ‘until at least Easter’ if pupils are allowed back to the classroom

Professor Devi Sridhar, an expert in public health at Edinburgh University, also warned that urgent action is needed to get children back to normality – otherwise “we're going to face a lost generation”.

Parents will find out later on Tuesday if their children will be able to return to school by the middle of February, as the First Minister gives the latest update on Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Most pupils in Scotland are currently taking part in online learning, with only those deemed vulnerable and the children of key workers attending school.

At the last review on January 19, the Scottish Government said the earliest date schools could possibly open for pupils who are not vulnerable or children of key workers was being pushed back to at least mid-February.

However, on Tuesday, National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch said his recommendation to ministers is that younger children should be allowed to return to the classroom, although he is reluctant to say older pupils – who will be working towards qualifications – can do the same.

Prof Leitch added that, although it looks as though some pupils will return, schools will not go back to normal.

Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday morning, Prof Sridhar said if younger pupils are to be allowed to return to school, then parents will need to restrict their contacts.

She said: “If we open schools, then we likely have to keep restrictions in other areas at least until Easter – until we see if there is any impact with a new variant on schools going back.

“We also need to tell parents not to mix, otherwise schools will have to shut again, because one of the issues is when schools go back parents have more time, and they end up mixing more.”

Prof Sridhar added that the well-being of children must take priority, warning “we're going to face a lost generation if we don't put children first and figure out how we get them back to some kind of normality."

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