Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the plan for a phased wider opening of schools and nurseries after 1 June 2020 includes the regular testing for covid-19 of asymptomatic (a) children and (b) staff; and how he plans to make an assessment of the effect on the R rate of infection of the wider opening of education institutions; and if he will make a statement.
On 18 May 2020, the Government announced that with immediate effect, all UK citizens over the age of 5 who experience symptoms are eligible to be tested.
The plan for a phased wider opening of settings and nurseries does not include regular testing for asymptomatic children or staff. The test is most effective for those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
As my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, set out in his announcement on 11 May 2020, progress on infection rates will be monitored every day. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) provides regular estimates of R, which will continue to be monitored both before and after schools open more widely. We will continue to receive advice from the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, the Chief Medical Officer and SAGE.