St Andrews University to roll out asymptomatic testing for students

St Andrews University is to roll out mass covid testing for students before they head home for Christmas.

Free asymptomatic tests will be available, a centre dedicated to it will open at the end of this month.

It's one of two Scottish Universities, along with Dundee, to reveal end of term plans.

A University spokesperson said: “Our priority this term has been to keep our community safe and, in doing so, ensure that the wider community of St Andrews is as safe as possible.

“This has been a very challenging semester for everyone at St Andrews, but the response of the vast majority of our students to the risks of Covid transmission and the necessary restrictions placed on them has been hugely positive and responsible.

“As the end of term approaches, we hope this new testing regime will allow students to travel home for Christmas with the reassurance that they are not taking Covid with them.”

Students will be offered a lateral-flow test which involves taking a swab from the mouth and nose in a process that takes just a few minutes.

They'll be notified of the test result by email or text within 24 hours by NHS Test and Protect.

The Scottish Government is recommending that two tests are taken, at least three days apart.

A recent survey by the St Andrews Students’ Association revealed that approximately 80% of St Andrews students were planning to go home over Christmas. The University is preparing however to look after up to 1000 students who have either chosen to stay, or will be unable to get home during the break.

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