BLACKBURN with Darwen Council is strongly recommending a rapid Covid-19 test is taken by all secondary school-aged children – and those attending college – this weekend, ahead of their return to education next week after half-term.

Dominic Harrison, Director of Public Health, said:

Testing regimes have been going on in schools and the college throughout term but, having been away for a week, students may not have been able to keep up with it.

I strongly recommend young people aged 12 and above to take a test on Sunday evening – or earlier if that’s not possible – before returning to school or college. This will help identify and exclude anyone who may have caught Covid and might now be infectious.

Tests can be done at home or at the borough’s rapid test centres, some of which now have extended weekend opening times.

More information on how to get a test can be found here under ‘how to get a test’

Public Health England have also posted a blog on how to ensure a safe return to school, which you can read here.