Nursery World - Government to end regular Covid testing of children in schools

After tomorrow (Friday) only children with ‘a high temperature’ will be advised to self-isolate for three days, as the Government ends Covid testing in schools.

The Government plans to withdraw Covid testing in schools after Friday 1 April

The plans have been revealed in advice sent out to schools, the day before the end of Covid safety measures in England.

Schools will no longer be able to access Coronavirus testing kits, or even hand out existing lateral flow tests from tomorrow, following the Government’s further relaxation of Covid rules.

Teaching unions have expressed their disbelief at information which they said was sent out to schools and colleges today by the Department for Education (DfE) on the Government’s ‘living with Covid’ plans, just a day before they are due to come into force in 1 April.

They described the plans as ‘a shambles’ and said that they would lead to confusion – for example, adults who test positive are being advised to ‘try to stay at home’ for five days, but children for three days. However, free testing is being withdrawn from tomorrow.

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