All families in the South with school-aged children to receive covid tests
It comes as children will return to school next week
Last updated 2nd Mar 2021
Families across Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex with school-aged children are to have access to rapid Covid-19 tests from next week.
Twice-weekly testing using lateral flow tests are to be available for those living with primary, secondary and college aged children in the south.
Those in childcare and support bubbles as well as adults working in schools, bus drivers and after school clubs leaders are also set to have access to the tests.
Further details are yet to be revealed, but the plans were confirmed by Simon Bryant, the Director of Public Health at Hampshire County Council, during a meeting held this week.
According him, the twice-weekly testing will not be mandatory, but families will be encouraged to get tested.
The council also claim that people will be able to order the rapid lateral flow tests online.
Dr Bryant said: “We are going to deliver this programme, understanding what that looks like and how to take that programme forward for those who live in households with children at school. Another way to help prevent and break the chain of infection.”
The government confirmed that secondary school and college students will be tested twice a week, receiving three initial tests at school or college before transitioning to twice weekly home testing.
Primary school children will not be regularly asymptomatically tested due to low levels of transmission between younger aged children, the government said, but will continue to need to come forward for tests if they have symptoms.