Confusion around schools testing
The Scottish Government must provide a clear answer on whether the ‘enhanced surveillance testing programme’ promised to schools by October is yet fully operational, the Scottish Greens have warned.
Scottish Green education spokesperson Ross Greer called for regular testing in schools throughout the summer but in response Education Secretary John Swinney said ‘surveillance testing’ would introduced, though it would only be fully operational by October.
Mr Greer today raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions but received no clear response.
Speaking after FMQs, Ross Greer said:
“Teachers, pupils and Parliament were promised an ‘enhanced surveillance testing programme’ in schools by October. It was less than the regular mass testing for staff which Greens and others had pushed for, but it was something. October is now at an end and despite enquiries from journalists and now a direct question from myself to the First Minister, we have no idea if this system is actually in place.
“Transmission is taking in schools and we all know that social distancing and other measures are next to impossible to follow in that setting, so staff deserve this basic reassurance, that the testing programme they were promised has actually been delivered. Scottish Greens will continue to push for regular, mass testing but we still expect an answer to this simple question.”