Teachers at a Perth primary school have been told by their headteacher they should not be testing for Covid-19.
The head of North Muirton Primary sent an email to teaching staff saying testing for the virus, or sharing results, can cause “unrest and upset”.
In the email, head teacher Annabelle Burns claims teachers testing goes against current national guidance, as they are no longer required to test twice weekly.
But teaching union NASUWT said schools should be considered “high-risk settings” for the spread of infection.
It comes after the number of Covid-related deaths in Scotland almost doubled this month.
‘Vulnerable situation’
In her email, Ms Burns said: “If you contact me, do not tell me or show me a test as you are beaching guidance and should not be testing.
“This places you in a vulnerable situation and causes unrest and upset.”
She added that ventilation, one-metre distancing and hand washing are “essential” at work.
“We are very concerned about reports of any schools being told they cannot use any of their remaining stocks of tests or that staff should not test.”
Mike Corbett, NASUWT National Official Scotland
Mike Corbett, NASUWT’s national official for Scotland, said teachers using up any leftover tests they have is “sensible”.
“At a time when the weekly ONS survey has shown Scotland to have the highest level of Covid infections across the UK in recent weeks, we are very concerned about reports of any schools being told they cannot use any of their remaining stocks of tests or that staff should not test,” he said.
“We would argue that schools could and perhaps should still be considered as high-risk settings for the spread of infection, in the same way that health care settings are.”
He added: “Using tests which could help schools clarify who is and is not affected, thus reducing the risk of illness for pupils and staff and any wider absence, would seem to be very sensible.
“We are urging the Scottish Government to make clear that schools should be able to make use of any stocks of tests they have while Covid infections in Scotland remain comparatively high.”
‘Clear guidance’ on Covid testing
When asked if the request not to test applies to other schools in the area, a Perth and Kinross spokesperson said: “Our schools continue to follow all public health guidance relating to Covid, as they have done since the start of the pandemic.
“This includes clear guidance on testing, which remains available to specific groups in order to protect highest risk settings and support clinical care.”
What does the guidance say?
Scottish Government guidance does not advise against teachers testing, only that they are no longer required by law to do so.
Asymptomatic testing remains in place for health and social care staff.
Councils are legally required to carry out risk assessments into coronavirus spread in schools, and update these regularly.
Health protection teams are also able to deploy testing in the event of an outbreak, should they deem it necessary.
‘Nothing preventing or discouraging’ Covid testing
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Should anyone wish to conduct a lateral flow test there is nothing in Scottish Government guidance preventing or discouraging them from doing so.
“In line with the Testing Transition Plan, the advice for school staff and secondary pupils in mainstream and special schools to undertake twice-weekly asymptomatic lateral flow testing no longer applies.
“Testing remains for specific groups in order to protect highest risk setting and support clinical care.”
Changes to Covid restrictions in schools and nurseries explained
Conversation