Covid test call as teens return to school

PARENTS are being urged to make sure their teenagers are tested for Covid-19 when they return to school.

Welsh education minister Kirsty Williams said families should view testing as an “expression of their commitment” to keep virus levels low.

By the end of this week more than 5.5 million lateral flow testing kits will have been distributed to schools, colleges and childcare settings in Wales. The twice-a-week tests, which give rapid results, will be available to pupils in years 10 and above, and to school staff.

However the testing programme is not compulsory.

Ms Williams said students will be encouraged to take the test at home to give them and their families “greater levels of reassurance”.

“It’s not mandatory and children will be able to access education without taking the tests,” she said.

“But throughout this epidemic the Welsh public have shown absolute determination to do everything they can to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe.

“I’m really hopeful that parents - and the students themselves - will see this as another expression of their commitment to tackle this disease.”

The youngest children in Wales returned to school two weeks ago.

All other primary school children, and secondary age pupils taking exams, are set to return to face-to-face teaching from next Monday (March 15).

Children in Years 7, 8 and 9 will also have one or two “check-in” days back in school before Easter, with all pupils due back after the holidays.

Only students aged 14 and above will be asked to undertake asymptomatic testing. The minister ruled out testing in younger children as current advice suggested this wasn’t “appropriate”.