Liverpool’s mass testing programme is to be extended to a number of secondary and special schools over the coming days.
Parents of pupils aged 11-18 will be sent letters asking if they are willing to consent to their child receiving a test.
The council is working with partners including public health, the school nursing service to facilitate the voluntary programme within schools.
As with the mass testing programme, the military will be providing logistical support in setting up and running the tests.
Director of Public Health, Matthew Ashton said: “The more of us who get tested, the more we can stop the spread of COVID-19 in our city. We’re saying to people: let’s do this for our families, our city, our Liverpool – and that includes our young people
“All children aged between 11 and 18 years old, where the appropriate recorded consent is provided, are eligible for the test. We are inviting the young people in our city to take part in this process and be part of this ground-breaking initiative.”
Director of Children and Young Peoples Services, Steve Reddy added: “Selected schools will be writing to parents asking them to discuss it with their child to see if it is something they wish to participate in.
“If consent is given pupils will be tested twice over a period of about 10 days for COVID-19 as part of the national pilot and the results will be treated in the same way. But it is important people understand that this is a voluntary programme and not something being forced on them.”
