Additional Covid-19 testing kits are to be allocated to schools and further education colleges in “high-risk areas” for coronavirus, the government has said today.

Updated Department for Education guidance says: “Schools and FE providers in particularly high-risk areas may be eligible for an additional delivery of test kits. These will be allocated to schools and FE providers by the DHSC [Department for Health and Social Care] based on the local prevalence of coronavirus (Covid-19).”

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The guidance says schools and colleges will be emailed directly if they are eligible to receive the extra kits.

“Any additional kits allocated and provided in this way should be used in line with this guidance at your discretion to minimise the impact of the virus on the education of your pupils or students.

“This includes ensuring access to testing for symptomatic staff who are vital to the running of your education setting,” it adds.

The Department for Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment. 

The announcement comes amid growing concerns in the teaching profession over the government’s testing regime.

This week, teachers expressed alarm at changes to test and trace arrangements in schools, under which single Covid cases are no longer being followed up by “tier 1” staff in local health protection teams (HPTs).

And yesterday it was revealed that top scientists from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) group said the full reopening of schools is only just beginning to impact on rising Covid-19 infections.