New Scapa Road in Kirkwall will be closed between Manse Road and Scapa Court from Monday 7 February 2022 for around two weeks - bus services affected, and changed arrangements for access to the COVID-19 assessment and vaccination centres at the Old Balfour Hospital.

Parents at Dounby School are being asked if they can step up their “invaluable efforts” even further in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Head Teacher, Islean Gibson, has already commended families for their ongoing support in the face of staffing challenges and the partial closure of the school earlier this week – and now she is appealing for parents to consider if they can take further steps given a rising number of cases within the school.

The Head Teacher at Dounby Community School has commended parents for their overwhelming support following the partial closure of the school on Monday and Tuesday this week in the face of staffing challenges.

Sickness absence, including COVID-19-related positive cases, has led to the shutdown of three classes - P3/4, P4/5 and P5/6 – and those children are accessing learning from home. Three classes – P1, P2/3 and P7 - and the nursery remain open.

Members of the Orkney Local Emergency Coordination Group who met today, Wednesday, have sounded a note of caution following the Scottish Government announcement of a further easing of the COVID rules.

Whilst welcoming the relaxation, representatives of the group maintain it is vital to keep a “steady as we go” approach and have asked communities across Orkney to remain vigilant.

The Orkney Sports Awards event is to go ahead in-person once again.

To ensure all COVID-19 guidelines are adhered to, the event will not be open to the public but only to finalists and invited guests.