STUDENTS and anyone who shares a home with schoolchildren or is in a support or childcare bubble can now have regular rapid coronavirus tests.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been working closely with schools and colleges across the borough to prepare pupils returning to face-to-face learning from Monday.

All education provider will follow the latest government guidance to ensure their premises are Covid-secure and all precautions are taken to reduce the transmission of the virus.

Secondary and college pupils will now be required to wear face coverings on school premises, where a social distance of two metres cannot be maintained, this will include in classrooms and communal areas.

Pupils in secondary schools and colleges will also be encouraged to take a rapid result Covid-19 test, called a lateral flow test, at their school as they return.

Three tests will be done on the school or college premises, three to five days apart, and after that home testing kits will be provided to families to test twice weekly. Instructions about completing home testing will be provided to families.

Councillor Bob Cernik, cabinet member for children and families, said: “The announcement by the government that face-to-face teaching can resume is a welcome step in the right direction. Children and families have done a remarkable job learning from home supported by our schools and colleges.

“Our schools and colleges have robust risk assessments and have put all the precautionary measures in place to make their sites as Covid-secure as possible. We do need to remain cautious so please follow the latest guidance from your school when returning next week.”

Introducing testing for staff and pupils without symptoms will ensure that positive Covid-19 cases and their contacts are found early so they can self-isolate for the required 10 days.

Anyone who belongs to a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of staff or a pupil in primary or secondary school can also get a twice-weekly rapid lateral flow test.

Home test kits will be available at local collection points open every day from 1pm to 7pm.

Here are the additional measures already in place in schools across the borough and will remain for this term.

• All adults must wear a face covering when visiting or entering school premises including outdoor yard areas.

• Parents/carers asked to arrive and leave promptly when dropping off/collecting their child - please do not congregate and maintain social distancing as we know that the virus is easily transmitted from person to person.

• In schools where it has been agreed that a parent/carer can enter the school premises for drop off and pick up, only one adult should enter.

• Young people to avoid congregating outside school, mixing with pupils from other schools and go directly home.

• Pupils travelling on mainstream home to school transport or those aged 11 and over travelling on public transport must wear a face covering unless they are exempt. This includes pupils travelling on SEN transport.

From March 8, the Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme will be extended to assist parents and guardians whose child is required to self-isolate.

This is restricted to one parent or guardian who are unable to work due to caring for a child who is required to self-isolate. For more details visit cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/covid.