Pupils and their households will be eligible for testing

The Department for Education has released guidance on the actions schools can take to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.

It says that staff and pupils in all settings will be eligible for testing if they become ill with coronavirus symptoms, as will members of their households.

A negative test will enable children to get back to childcare or education, and their parents to get back to work. A positive test will mean action can be taken to protect their classmates and staff.

The guidance acknowledges that early years and primary age children cannot be expected to remain two metres apart from each other and staff and schools should therefore work through the measures set out in its guidance, including avoiding contact with anyone with symptoms; frequent hand cleaning and good hygiene practices; regular cleaning of settings, and minimising contact and mixing.

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