Aberdeen’s Liberal Democrat group is urging the city council to take additional precautions as youngsters return to school.
Its members are calling upon education chiefs to go further than Scottish Government guidlines and make wearing of face coverings compulsory on dedicated school buses.
Currently, face coverings are mandatory on public transport but not on council-managed school services.
The plea comes after Scotland’s national clinical director raised concerns regarding social distancing in school environments.
Councillor Martin Grieg said it was ‘vital’ students be encouraged to wear face coverings and added: “This is a clear commitment not just for the safety of the bus passenger but also for the wellbeing of every individual they later come into close contact with.”
The motion comes less than a week after children returned to school in Scotland, with some cases of coronavirus having already been recorded among school pupils.
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said “guidance” from the Scottish Government is being followed but anyone wishing to wear a mask would be “fully supported”.
They added: “Children should be wearing face coverings on public transport services to school, such as the buses which operate for Lochside Academy and Hazlehead Academy, and on smaller vehicles, such as taxis and private hire vehicles where physical distancing between children and adults is more difficult.”