Regular coronavirus testing for school staff

In line with Welsh Government guidance, lateral flow tests will soon be offered to all staff in schools and registered childcare settings following the return of three to seven-year-olds to school.

The tests which are for those who do not have coronavirus symptoms can be undertaken at home and provide a result within 30 minutes.

Safeguarding pupils and staff against the risk of coronavirus remains a priority and we continue to work closely with schools to maintain appropriate measures to do so.

The Welsh Government is offering staff in education and childcare settings the opportunity to undergo twice weekly testing with testing kits being delivered to schools in Bridgend County Borough for staff from next week. From 22 March, tests will also then be offered to secondary school-age pupils in Years 11 to 13. Testing is voluntary, although all those offered the test are encouraged to take up the offer.

Recent pilots in Wales and the wider UK have shown how routine, rapid testing can be used effectively and have positive impacts in schools and other settings. It enables schools and childcare settings to help safeguard against the transmission of Covid-19 in the community by those who show no symptoms.

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration Charles Smith

If an asymptomatic person – someone who doesn’t have any coronavirus symptoms - receives a positive test result via the routine testing, they must self-isolate and arrange to have a test at either one of the mobile or permanent testing centres in the county borough. To book one of these tests book online at gov.wales/coronavirus or call 119.

Families are reminded that under no circumstances should children attend school if they: 

• feel unwell, have any of the three identified Covid-19 symptoms (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or loss of taste and/or smell) or they have tested positive to Covid-19 in the past 10 days
• live in a household with someone who has symptoms of Covid-19 or has tested positive to Covid-19 in the past 10​ days