U-turn on daily testing of close contacts in English schools

The government has done a u-turn on plans to roll out rapid daily coronavirus testing of close contacts, in all but a small number of secondary schools and colleges.

The decision was made taking into consideration the emergence of the new variant, and the risk of the rapid tests missing some positive cases.

However, routine testing to pick up asymptomatic cases in staff and pupils remains a key part of the government's plans.

Mass testing in schools, using lateral flow tests to detect the virus, had been due to start in January, with the aim to keep as many children in schools as possible by avoiding a whole bubble, class or year having to be sent home.

But concerns have been expressed about the accuracy of the rapid tests.

PHE and NHS Test and Trace now say the new variant, which "increases the risk of transmission everywhere, including in school settings", has made this a risk no longer worth taking.

"The balance between the risks (transmission of virus in schools and onward to households and the wider community) and benefits (education in a face-to-face and safe setting) for daily contact testing is unclear," their statement adds.