WITH the Easter holidays having just begun, those eligible for regular Covid testing may be wondering if this needs to continue during the two-week break while children are not at nursery, school or college.

Under current guidance those who live with a child or member of staff at nursery, school or college are asked to use a lateral flow test at home twice a week and report the results.

Hampshire County Council has confirmed that this should continue throughout the Easter holidays for those eligible.

It said that educational staff, parents, secondary pupils and college students should continue testing at home twice a week throughout the Easter holidays, and into the summer term, and report results as positive, negative or void.

Tests for eligible households will need to be done before returning to school or college for the summer term, either the night before, or morning of, the first day back, to find and isolate any positive cases.

Hampshire County Council’s director of public health, Simon Bryant, said: “With people now allowed to gather outdoors in groups of up to six or in two households, many of us are looking forward to reuniting with family and friends over the Easter weekend.

“The cautious relaxing of socialising rules has given us all a reason to feel optimistic as we head into the school holidays.

“But we know around one in three people with coronavirus don’t have any symptoms, so it’s crucial that we continue to do everything we can to minimise our risk of exposure so we can all mix and celebrate safely.

“That includes following hands, face, space guidance, letting in plenty of fresh air into our homes and continuing to test at home twice a week for anyone going out to work, as well as households or bubbles of educational staff and children at nursery, school or college.

“This is particularly important if you are meeting up with elderly relatives or someone who has been shielding.”

Testing those without symptoms helps identify positive Covid cases quickly, allowing people to self-isolate and prevent the virus from spreading.

Mr Bryant added: “I urge everyone who is eligible to continue taking advantage of free, rapid and regular testing, for peace of mind that you and your loved ones are protected.”

However, it is not known where those eligible for tests are able to collect free at-home kits, because The Anvil testing site is listed as closed on the NHS website.

Read the full story here.