Twice-weekly Covid tests for students and staff at college

Dundee and Angus College has begun the rollout of twice-weekly rapid coronavirus tests for students and staff.

You do not need symptoms to take part.

It comes after lateral flow tests were rolled out across Scotland allowing anyone to order packs to do the tests at home for free.

Dundee and Angus College said it had followed all public health guidance throughout the pandemic, and wanted to make the safety of students and staff its top priority.

A limited number of students are allowed on campus to undertake essential coursework, and enhanced safety measures are in place.

Vice-principal Jaki Carnegie said: “D&A has consistently demonstrated that the health, safety and wellbeing of our students and staff comes first and we are delighted to be able to offer voluntary testing to keep our community safe.

“If you’re thinking about coming to college next year, know that you’ll be able to study in a safe, supportive environment like our current students.”

Shona Struthers, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, welcomed the rollout.

She said: “I’m pleased college students and staff can support the efforts we are all making to keep each other safe by using lateral flow tests. Colleges are making these available with easy-to-access systems, and the reassurance they bring is a really important part of being back on campus for essential learning.”

National clinical director Jason Leitch said: “The college testing programme is voluntary, and I encourage all eligible staff and students to take part regularly.

“Around one in three people with Covid do not have symptoms. Rapid lateral flow testing helps to find cases in people who may have no symptoms but are still infectious.

“These easy-to-use at home kits offer extra reassurance so it’s important that students continue to make use of them regularly as restrictions are lifted.

NUS Scotland president Matt Crilly also welcomed the kits, saying: “It’s up to all of us to keep our colleges safe for students and staff. I’d encourage all students

Prepared: Covid test kits arrive for students and staff at Dundee and Angus College.

“Opting in means we can all stay safe

to take up the offer of regular voluntary asymptomatic tests.”

To date 101,736 kits, which each include seven tests, have been provided to colleges by the Scottish Government.

D&A Sports student Lee

Paterson said: “I have felt the campus very welcoming since I returned. All the safety measures are in place.”

Jane Cooper, people adviser, highlighted the importance of testing for overall wellbeing of staff

and students, saying: “Being able to offer our on-campus students and staff testing means people can effectively manage their wellbeing.”

Lecturer Christine Calder said: “Opting in to testing means we can all stay safe.”