Testing at secondary schools from mid april.

Testing at secondary schools from mid april.

It will be possible from April 12 to test students and staff for the coronavirus at all secondary (special) education schools. This can happen if a coronavirus infection is known at school. Using the self-test is always voluntary. Minister Slob wrote this in a letter to the schools on Thursday.

The self-test is easy to take because it goes less deep into the nose than the regular corona test at the GGD test center. The risk-based self-test is taken at school by an individual student or staff member on themselves, under guidance of a trained staff member.

Voluntary

Testing is completely voluntary. Everyone has the right to refuse participation without any consequences. When a student or staff member decides not to take part in a self-test, this can never lead to exclusion from education or work.

Role of the school participation council

If a school wants to start self-testing, the school participation council must agree. Schools then inform the parents about the start of self-testing at school. For students under 16 years, permission from one parent is needed. For students 16 years and older, no formal parental consent is required.

Result

If the test result is positive, the student or staff member will quarantine at home and contact the GGD for a test at the GGD test center. Then source and contact research takes place. A negative result means no corona was found. The student or staff member can then stay at school.

Confidentiality

The result is handled confidentially. The person taking the self-test is not required to share the result. However, it must be considered that the school should be able to take measures in case of infection.

Questions

If you have questions about testing, you can contact our advice point by email: vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl or by phone: 088-6050101. We are available on weekdays from 09.30-12.30 and 13.00-16.00.