Published:
9:30 AM February 27, 2021
Government advisers decided against prioritising school and college staff in crowded classrooms in the next phase of the vaccine rollout.
- Credit: PA
Education unions have been left disappointed after government advisers decided against prioritising school and college staff in crowded classrooms in the next phase the vaccine rollout.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) concluded that vaccinating in order of age - starting with people aged 40 to 49 - remains the quickest way to cut deaths.
Reopening schools will see repeat rapid testing of pupils to be conducted in schools when they return, before switching to home tests.
South Wootton Infant School deputy head, Rebecca Burt, gets a negative Covid-19 test result.
- Credit: Ian Burt
Mass Covid testing for both teachers and support staff has begun to be rolled out in primary schools with future plans for parents to test children at home.
Under revised rules, the Government has suggested that all primary school teachers be tested for the virus twice a week with what is known as lateral flow tests.
South Wootton Infant School deputy head teacher, Rebecca Burt taking her Covid-19 self-test.
- Credit: Ian Burt
The voluntary tests are designed to detect the virus in people who show no outward symptoms but could be contagious.