Families with children in schools will receive free kits to do a home diagnostic test for coronavirus, the British government announced on Sunday as part of plans to reopen schools from March 8.
Households with children will receive free tests to do twice a week regardless of whether someone has symptoms, authorities said. Testing will also be offered to adults who work with schools, such as bus drivers.
Testing family members will offer “an added assurance for parents and educational staff that schools are as safe as possible,” said Secretary of Education Gavin Williamson. Schools in England have been closed since January, except for the children of essential workers.
Britain is also making progress on its vaccination program, with nearly 20 million people already receiving a first dose. Some two million people in England between the ages of 60 and 63 will begin receiving invitations to request a vaccination appointment from Monday. The government aims to offer a first injection to all adults in the country by the end of July.
Britain has the worst death toll from the virus in Europe, with almost 123,000 deaths.
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