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East Ayrshire schools are set to close at the end of this week, the First Minister has announced.

Nicola Sturgeon said that schools and nurseries across Scotland will "inevitably close" in a speech this afternoon.

The First Minister said: “It is now inevitable that we will be closing schools and nurseries.

“Schools and nurseries will close at the end of this week and I wanted to give parents notice of that now.

“There are two key drivers of that view. One is science, they are telling us to close schools.

“The second is on the ground, as people are being told to self-isolate, more and more schools are reaching a point that they have lost too many staff to continue as normal.

(Image: PA)

“We will address tomorrow the plans going forward

“We must not cut adrift vulnerable pupils.

“Also we will address what this means for pupils who were due to sit exams.

“We must make sure key workers can keep working otherwise lives are on the line.

“There will be questions as to when these schools will reopen, the clearest guidance I can give now is that people should not assume schools and nurseries will reopen after the Easter holidays.

“At this stage I cannot promise they will reopen before the summer holidays.

“We know this will massively disrupt life and society, but that is the measure of the seriousness of this situation.

“We are heading into stormy waters, I will do everything I can to steer the ship safely through.

“It will not be easy, but together we will get through this.”