Concerns over safe physical distancing in Irvine were raised after schools reopened during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Times were contacted by someone from Irvine Royal Academy over fears kids are unable to maintain safe physical distances amid the international pandemic and fears over kids not previously needing to wear face masks.

However North Ayrshire Council say the schools will be bringing in masks this week with pupils encouraged to maintain a safe distance where possible, while the parent council added that extra efforts had been made in the school after the first day back.

A source said: “While walking though supermarkets we need to follow a strict one way system and stay two metres apart, wear face covering etc.

“There are rules on keeping to the left side of the hallway, therefore people going opposite ways don’t bump into each other. There are hand sanitiser stations and when students enter a class they are expected to sanitise their hands and wipe their desks – but they are allowed to sit wherever they wish, including right next to other students, which isn’t two metres apart,

“During breaks and lunches, the students are broken up into two groups, the older year groups sit in the main hall and the younger sit in the lunch hall, but other than that, they are free to sit next to whoever and as close as they please.

“Before students are allowed to enter the school, they must wait outside the school until the bell rings, to which point they are allowed into the school in groups, the issue is the students are essentially made to crowd together in a massive crowd.

“If we need to wear masks, stay two metres apart etc in supermarkets, why isn’t this school doing the same? If there really isn’t anything more they can do, they shouldn’t have their doors open in the first place.”

Sally-Ann Robertson from the Irvine Royal Parent Council said: “It’s new for everybody. There was a problem when the whole school was first going back in but they’ve now adapted that with different doors.

“They’ve got the keep left signs in the hallways and pupils are trying to keep to their own bubbles. It’s been so hard for everyone with the rules changing as frequently. The school has put out letters about what not to do and reiterate about masks.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Irvine Royal Academy, like all schools in North Ayrshire, implemented a wide range of measures to support the safe return of pupils to school, closely following national guidance published by Scottish Government.

“New Scottish Government guidance was issued this week which will see the introduction of face coverings for pupils and staff in corridors and public areas in all secondary schools in Scotland from Monday, August 31, including Irvine Royal Academy.

“Whilst physical distancing is not a requirement between pupils in secondary schools across Scotland, like all schools, Irvine Royal Academy is making a real effort to encourage pupils to retain a distance from each other wherever possible.

“Our school-based staff across NAC are working very hard in partnership with pupils and their parents to make the return to school and the adjustment to new routines as smooth and as safe as possible.”