Covid-19 testing ramped up before students return to school

Monday 23 August 2021

Covid-19 testing kits are being sent out to all students and staff across the education sector from this morning.

It comes as part of a widespread testing programme for Covid-19 ahead of the next school year.

Primary, secondary and post-16 students will need two negative lateral flow tests in the week before they return to their school or college. 

Teachers and support staff will also need to carry out two lateral flow tests, which should be spread out over the week. All secondary, post-16 students and school staff will be asked to continue doing two lateral flow tests per week.

Meanwhile, any child who attends a pre-school, childminder or nursery will be asked to have a lower nasal PCR test before the start of term.

Pictured: Self-administered lateral flow tests are not as reliable as PCR tests, but are used for wide-scale community surveillance.

"The phased changes to border restrictions have increased the number of people travelling into and out of the Bailiwick over the summer," said a spokesperson for Health & Social Care.

"As a community we do need to accept that we will see cases of Covid-19 and we may see cases cropping up in schools and education settings.

"That being said, before everyone returns to education settings next month, we have an opportunity to do widespread Covid-19 testing of all students and teachers with the aim of reducing the risk of infection. This is part of the surveillance programme which is being supported by Education with clinical direction and oversight from Public Health."

Full details of the testing requirements can be found HERE. 

Anybody whose test shows a positive result should contact the Covid-19 Clinical Helpline on 01481 756938.

Extra helplines open today for anyone with questions about the education testing programme - 01481 733017 or email educationqueries@gov.gg