SCHOOLS will remain closed to most pupils in Scotland after the Christmas holidays until "at least January 18", Nicola Sturgeon announced in her lockdown update.

The First Minister unveiled the move last night as she announced the whole of the Scottish mainland would be placed on level 4 restrictions from Boxing Day in a bid to curb the spread of a new even more infectious variant of Covid-19.

Schools in some parts of the country have already closed for the festive break, with some, including those in Glasgow, due to finish this Tuesday.

They were due to reopen on January 5, but instead pupils and teachers have been given an extra week off.

Then, from January 11 schools will reopen for only the most vulnerable children and those of key workers, with remote learning in place for all other primary and secondary pupils until "at least January 18".

Speaking to the media and the public after an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday afternoon, the First Minister emphasised that – while the situation is not yet as severe as that in England and Wales – it remained essential to act on a preventive basis.

"Schools still open next week will close on schedule as previously planned – we are not changing that," she said.

"They were then due to reopen from the 5th of January with all councils areas back by the 7th."

She added: "Instead of that, here is what we are now going to do -

"For the children of key workers – such as nurses in our hospitals – schools will open as previously scheduled. They will also open as normal for the most vulnerable children.

"All teachers will also return to work as scheduled and as planned.

"For the majority of pupils, however, the holiday period is being extended until 11th January.

Starting on that date, learning will be online until at least 18th January.

"After that, assuming we are confident we have the virus under control we will aim to reopen schools fully but at least until the 18 January, schools will go online only other than for the children of key workers and the most vulnerable."

The move was welcomed by Scotland's largest teaching union which has balloted teachers on a raising a dispute with councils over Covid safety concerns in schools in level 4 areas. Most teachers balloted in four local authority areas - including Glasgow and Edinburgh balloted backed the action.

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: "The EIS welcomes the decision to delay the return of pupils after the Christmas break until January 11th and that for the vast majority of pupils for this return to be to an online platform, with only the children of key workers and vulnerable children being in school.

"With a large number of schools already closed for the break, this late decision will once again create planning challenges for teachers but schools are much better prepared for remote learning than was the case in March.

"Given that the EIS has been calling for a ‘firebreak’ around the Christmas break, we view this announcement as being the correct one. It would make sense for those schools which are still open to move immediately to remote platforms.”