The roll-out of regular Covid testing for S1-S3 pupils could be adopted in the north-east as early as next week, it has emerged.
Last week, Education Secretary John Swinney announced secondary school students in S1-3 would be provided with lateral flow Covid-19 testing kits.
The voluntary scheme has already been rolled out to staff and pupils in S4-6.
The kits, which return a result within 30 minutes and do not need to be processed in a laboratory, allow people who are not showing any symptoms to test themselves for Covid-19 to determine whether they have coronavirus.
Now parents and carers of children in Aberdeen City have received letters informing them of the scheme. It advises the distribution of the kits will begin at reconnect days taking place next week, prior to returning to the classroom full time after the Easter holidays.
It is understood children in Aberdeenshire are also due to receive testing kits soon.
Regular testing will help minimise spread in schools
The letter reads: “Along with the other protective measures we are implementing to keep our school community safe, regular testing of staff and all pupils will help to further reduce risks for staff and children and young people in our school.
“It will do so by helping to identify asymptomatic individuals in school environments at the earliest possible opportunity, and asking them and their close contacts to self-isolate, thus minimising the likelihood of them passing on the virus.
“The regular testing is open to all school staff and pupils who are regularly attending the school premises. The testing programme also includes school-aged childcare staff and early learning and childcare staff in settings that are attached to schools.”
Every participating pupil and staff member will be given a supply of testing kits, along with instructions on how to use them.
‘Good levels of uptake’ among senior pupils so far
Those taking part are asked to test themselves twice a week.
Anyone who develops symptoms should self-isolate and book a test through the NHS.
Announcing the decision to provide S1-3 children with tests, deputy first minister Mr Swinney said: “We already offer twice-weekly tests for all school staff and all senior phase pupils, that is pupils in secondary school years four to six.
“We’ve seen good levels of uptake so far, amongst those people who are eligible for tests. We’re also working with partners to extend the offer of testing to staff and premises for preschool learning and childcare.”
He added: “Guidance will re-emphasise that staff and pupils who test positive must self-isolate.”
Tests are ‘small price to play’ for keeping classmates safe
Councillor Martin Greig, the Liberal Democrats’ education spokesman, said it was “essential” such measures were taken to protect against complacency.
He added: “The infection is still in our communities. It seems it will be around for some time yet.
“There might be some inconvenience but it is a small price to pay to keep everyone as safe as possible.
“Hopefully there will be good participation in the home testing scheme. We all have to pull together to suppress this problem.”
