Inverness College 'strongly recommends' students and staff wear face coverings in the classroom
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Students and staff at Inverness College are being "strongly recommended" to wear face coverings in classrooms to help reduce the risk of transmitting coronavirus.
It comes as the Scottish Government is considering the introduction of face coverings in corridors and communal areas of secondary schools.
With a limited number of new and returning students due to be on campus this autumn, the college has issued guidance on what they can expect.
It states: "To help protect others and reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19 in our communities, face coverings should be worn on entering our buildings and while moving around our campuses, in our library and our learning resource centre, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable explanation for not wearing one."
Examples include a health condition or a disability which would mean a face covering would cause difficulty, pain or distress, students who need to communicate with someone who relies on lip reading, or while eating, drinking or taking medicine.
It also recommends wearing face coverings while in teaching spaces such as classrooms or workshops although it is not mandatory.
Students are also asked to wear plain face coverings without wording to avoid causing any offence and those who are exempt from wearing face coverings are encouraged to carry a hidden disabilities card.
A small number of apprentices were in college today while a small number of further education students return from next week for practical, essential face-to-face classes.
The college is following government advice regarding reopening which states universities and colleges can have a phased return with a blended model of remote learning and limited on-campus learning where it is a priority.
Related article: Millburn Academy asks pupils to wear face coverings
