SCOTLAND's secondary school kids could soon be urged to wear face masks as they move between classes. 

Education Secretary John Swinney is currently in the "final stages" of consulting teachers and local authorities about the introduction.

It follows guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) published over the weekend, which suggested teenagers can infect others in the same way as adults.

Currently, children are not required to wear masks in school or on school buses.

Staff are only required to cover their mouth if they come into close contact with a pupil for an extended period of time, though the Government has been clear that anyone who wants to wear one is allowed to do so.

A recent survey by the EIS teaching union found that 41% of teachers supported the mandatory wearing of face coverings by senior pupils in the classroom.

A growing number of teenagers have tested positive for Covid-19 since classes resumed two weeks ago, but the Government says this is down to community transfer, from events such as house parties, rather than from school.

A secondary school in Edinburgh has today made it mandatory for wearing face coverings indoors whilst moving around between classes.

James Gillespie’s High School said masks, face coverings and visors will be available free of charge to anyone who has lost or forgotten their own.

Meanwhile, Denny High School in Falkirk is also encouraging pupils and staff to wear masks while inside the school building and buses.

Speaking at the Scottish Governmnent's daily coronaviurs briefing, Nicola Sturgeon said: "We're consulting on this specific measure because, firstly, mixing between different groups is more likely in corridors and communal areas - increasing the potential for transmission.

"Secondly, crowding and close contact in these areas is more likely and voices could be raised, resulting in greater potential for creating aerosol transmission.

"Finally, there's also less scope for ventilation in these areas."

The First Minister said that decisions were yet to be made on if the guidance would be extended to school transport and that decision will be made in the next couple of days, but there are currently no plans for mandating coverings in class.

WHO says children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as the over 18s.

In particular, they recommend covering the mouth when it’s impossible to guarantee a distance of at least one metre from others and there is widespread transmission in the area.

For children aged between six and 11, the WHO advises taking into account how widespread the transmission of the virus is and whether the child is interacting with high-risk individuals such as the elderly.

Children aged five and under should not, under normal circumstances, wear masks, the global public health body says.

For teachers, the WHO says: “In areas where there is widespread transmission, all adults under the age of 60 and who are in general good health should wear fabric masks when they cannot guarantee at least a one-metre distance from others.

“This is particularly important for adults working with children who may have close contact with children and one another.