Home testing gives parents peace of mind
TIME LIMITS HAMPER GROUPS
PARENTS of schoolchildren in Nottinghamshire have said getting regularly tested has given them ‘peace of mind’ as schools made a full return last week.
As laid out in the roadmap, secondary school and college students will now 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 tested due to low levels of transmission between younger aged children but will continue to need to come forward for tests if they have symptoms.
In addition to this, the Government has confirmed twice-weekly testing using rapid lateral flow tests will be given for free to all families and households with primary, secondary school and college aged children.
Twice-weekly testing will also be offered to adults working in the wider school community, including bus drivers and after school club leaders.
Nottingham Post readers shared their experience of taking part in regular testing, either by taking tests at home or through one of the community rapid test sites.
Krissi Saccoh said: “Had my kit delivered online. Did our two tests. As clinically extremely vulnerable I obviously want to protect myself, but also other people in case I was to be asymptomatic.”
Anna Lisa Price wrote: “I ordered a kit online on the Wednesday and it arrived Thursday.
“Instructions were very clear and easy to follow and complete. All negative so far and a reassurance as a mum with three children with additional needs at three different schools.”
“Very easy to do,” Amy Williams commented.
“We collected two packs as six household members last week from The Forest and have done our two plus our eldest has done his. Very quick and simple.”
Becky Chapman wrote: “Very easy and quick, peace of mind for me as school already had a Covid case. Don’t have to send off and wait for the results, you get them in 30 minutes.”
Some parents commented they were unaware of the advice to get tested and others said there had been difficulties getting a kit.
Laura Tennant said: “I went to the local collections place but they said they had none until the 16th so had to order them online but they came the next day so was very quick and easy to do.”
Nottinghamshire’s public health director, Jonathan Gribbin said: “Rapid testing is one of the important measures put in place to enable us to live as safely as possible in the months ahead.
“Each positive case identified through rapid testing can help prevent others from becoming infected.
“We’re pleased arrangements are in place for the testing of secondary school pupils and nursery, and school staff across the county (as well as households and bubbles of staff and children attending nurseries and schools), and we continue to encourage use of this regular testing.”
A spokesperson from Nottingham City Council added: “Testing is voluntary, but we strongly urge all who are eligible to get a test - coupled with vaccinations, this is our best path out of the pandemic.”
A PARKING permit scheme introduced to ease congestion has created more problems, claim villagers.
The permit scheme proposal, which covers all roads in Wilford from the crossroads at Clifton Lane/wilford Lane, was first put to residents in November of 2019 and a consultation took place in February last year.
Nottingham city councillors who represent the area, Andrew Rule and Roger Steel, said the village had consistently been “chocker with commuters”.
Daniel Atherton, who lives in Vernon Avenue, told the Post traffic first became a prevalent issue after the building of the new tram stop next to Iremongers Pond.
The small car park that remained, typically used by anglers and those attending the rugby club opposite, became (unofficially) a “park and ride” in itself.
This, combined with the popularity and expansion of the St Patrick’s Voluntary Catholic Academy and South Wilford Primary School, has led to the narrow road which serves an entrance and exit to the village becoming a “nightmare”.
As a result Nottingham City Council has recently blanketed the area with a permit scheme, which came into force on March 8 with a two-week grace period for fines, but residents fear it has given way to more issues.
The car park now has a time limit for those staying, as well as a limited number of bays which do not require a permit, which aim to prevent commuter parking and traffic problems during school hours.
However, the time limits have proven problematic for anglers and locals who need to stay longer to attend the allotments or rugby club.
Mr Atherton said: “The council has imposed the approach which they have in the city.
“We have got historic corners and you have got two primary schools which are increasing in size all the time. It is a step in the right direction but it is an issue for the rugby club and the Iremongers Pond Association.
“It has hit them really badly. There are two big allotments too. People like my dad have one. It is a retirement job for some people and three hours is not enough.
“For the St Wilfrid’s Church group it is not great because they need [more] parking for funerals or weddings and events.
“It is a shame all of these issues are happening because the community group has been working on this for years.”
Bill Roughton, the chairman of the Iremongers Pond Association, said “The problems outside the schools have always been bad, people just blatantly parking on double yellow lines.
“We have 49 members, not all of those turn up by car and not all of them turn up at once, but it would be better if we could have longer for our members to park when fishing.
“If we could get a couple of dozen parking allocation permits that would be better.”
The Wilford Community Group added in a statement: “The Wilford Community Group welcomes solutions to the issue of commuter parking in Wilford Village.
“However, the current scheme has caused issues to allotment and pond users who are integral to the community.
“It appears to have also exacerbated traffic issues around school drop-off and pick-up times at South Wilford and St Pat’s primary schools over the past week.
“We have raised these issues with our local councillors and hope they take them forwards.”
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “This residents’ parking scheme was requested and paid for by the two local councillors for Wilford to address issues they reported in the ward.
“A full consultation was carried out and no objections were raised by allotment holders, blue-badge holders, the Iremongers Pond Association and the local church. All residents are entitled to three, free permits per household.
“We are aware of subsequent issues raised by the ward councillors and a meeting has been scheduled for the end of the month to discuss this further.”