Manager explains decision to close Drumduan School due to coronavirus
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A LOCAL school is the first in Moray to close due to coronavirus.
Administrators at Drumduan School on Clovenside Road made the precautionary decision on Friday evening to close for a week after being notified that a parent from its community had been diagnosed with the flu-like virus, Covid-19.
School manager Allan Kerr explained: "We are not permitted to disclose the identity of this person under general data protection regulation, and to do so would also be a breach of the family's rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
"Being a relatively small school, all the children, irrespective of class, share the same toilets, have contact with the same surfaces and door handles, play together at break times and share the same learning and play equipment.
"During this time, it is also considered appropriate not to allow staff access to the school to safeguard against the possibility of infection by the Covid-19 virus being present since we are informed that the virus can survive on a surface for up to 72 hours."
A notice on the main door at the private Steiner-method school read that it had postponed an open day, due to be held on Saturday.
Mr Kerr confirmed the decision to close was made in everyone's very best interests.
He said: "Families and staff have been asked to inform me during this precautionary period if anyone displays any symptoms. If so, they will be asked to self isolate for the required period in accordance with government and health guidelines.
"It is hoped that Drumduan School will re-open on Monday, March 23 and this decision will be made on Friday, March 20."
