According to The Public Health guidelines, released earlier this week, if someone tests positive and you are a primary contact, you need to test for seven days rather than ten. (vaccinated)
Though the press release did not specify school children, it was stated that “if a primary contact is a negative, unvaccinated child (under 18 years of age), they should conduct daily lateral flow tests (LFT) for seven days. They can attend school if daily LFT results continue to be negative.”
So rather than teachers and students testing on LFT for ten days upon a positive case in the classroom. They are now reduced to testing for seven days.
There have not been any updates on the government’s guidance documents for schools and parents.
The current COVID testing regulations for students are as follows:
Children under the age of 5: Regular twice-weekly LFT testing. If a student or teacher tests positive, classmates should continue with the twice-weekly testing. (No 7-day surveillance period.)
Children 5-17: Optional twice-weekly LFT testing. If a student or teacher tests positive, classmates take LFTs daily for seven days.
Vaccinated children who test positive: Isolate at home for six days. A negative PCR test is required before returning to school.
Unvaccinated children who test positive: Isolate at home for nine days. A negative PCR test is required before returning to school.
