Regular Covid-19 testing in schools in Northern Ireland

A programme of regular testing for Covid-19 is to be introduced in schools in Northern Ireland, it has been announced.

Initially, all post-primary staff (including teaching and support staff) and older students in Years 12-14 in schools and in Education Other Than at School (EOTAS) centres will be included in this programme of regular testing, which will use Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests. Expansion of testing to other staff in primary and pre-school settings will be rolled out in later phases.

Health Minister Robin Swann said: “I am delighted to announce the expansion of our regular testing programme for staff and older pupils. This testing is important as an additional measure alongside the range of existing safety measures in place to help ensure the safety of staff and pupils in schools.

“Whilst the use of LFD tests is important as an additional measure, a negative LFD test result does not enable an individual to drop their guard and people should not change their behaviours.

“My Department is continuing to work with partners in government and industry on further expansion of our programme of regular asymptomatic testing which, alongside our vaccination and contact tracing programmes, will help balance the scales in our favour of success in the battle against Covid-19.”

Testing for schools’ staff and pupils will be twice weekly three to four days apart using LFD tests.  Older students in years 12-14 are included as prevalence of Covid-19 tends to be higher among this group.

Positive results from an LFD test will mean the pupil having to isolate along with members of their households. A confirmation PCR test will be required for everyone who tests positive on LFD. If the PCR test result is negative, the individual and their household can leave isolation and no further action is required. If the PCR test result is positive the individual and their household and all other close contacts should complete a full 10 days of self-isolation.

Departmental officials will be liaising with the education sector in the coming days to discuss operational preparation and delivery with a view to rolling out the programme in the coming weeks.