Home coronavirus testing kits to be available to school pupils and staff in Argyll & Bute
Once restrictions are eased and school pupils return the home kits will be made available to try and reduce the amount of positive-testing children in schools.
Last updated 15th Feb 2021
School pupils and staff in Argyll and Bute will be able to test themselves for coronavirus at home once restrictions are eased.
With a return to school for some pupils being considered at a national level, the local authority is working with the Scottish Government to put in place a testing programme for staff and pupils without the symptoms of coronavirus.
They also say plans progressing quickly for the home test kits to be freely available, to try and secure self-isolation for those who need to as quickly as possible.
Schools will be contacting relevant staff and parents of senior phase pupils directly, over the course of this week, with information about the self-test kits and getting involved with the programme.
Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said: "This is all about making our schools safe places to work, teach and learn. The sooner we stop the virus in its tracks, the more we stop it spreading, it’s as simple as that.
"Home testing means you can look after yourself better, by finding out early if you need to self-isolate or take any other action. It means we look after each other too by cutting the risk of passing the virus to other people.
"Once they hear from their school, I would encourage staff, senior pupils and their families to find out how home testing could help you.”