Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Pupils during a school lesson.
Pupils during a school lesson. - Credit: SimpleFoto / DepositPhotos - License: DepositPhotos
Health
Coronavirus
coronavirus self-test
education
school teachers
Arie Slob
Aob
Monday, 19 April 2021 - 10:43
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

14 million coronavirus self-tests on their way to schools

On Monday, elementary and middle schools across the country will begin receiving self-administrable coronavirus tests to help detect infections amongst teachers at an early stage. Health Minister, Hugo de Jonge, announced the planned distribution of self-tests in school in a statement to Parliament last week.

The goal is that within two weeks all schools will have a two-week supply of self-tests at hand. In total, that means schools will receive 14 million self-tests come summer. Once the self-tests arrive, school staff will have the opportunity to test themselves at home twice per week in case they experience symptoms of the coronavirus.

The tests are also intended for daycare centers adjacent to school buildings.

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and Media, Arie Slob, was enthusiastic about the use of self-tests in schools. “I am happy these tests are available now. Hereby, students are able to have as many on-site classes as possible and teachers are able to stand in front of the class with less worries”, Slob said.

Should a teacher test positive for the coronavirus, they will go into quarantine and make an appointment at the GGD for a regular coronavirus test where the nasal swabs are deeper and the tests are more accurate. After the second test confirms the infection, the GGD begins tracing contacts to detect any further spread of the virus.

Slob clarified on NOS Radio 1 Journaal that it will not be mandatory for teachers to use the tests, even as many schools have shown extensive interest in the self-tests. “Everyone has the realization: if we do this for one another then we ensure that possible infections are isolated as soon as possible and the rest can return to school”, Slob said.

The self-tests are mainly intended for the staff, however, should an outbreak occur at a school then students will also have the opportunity to test themselves, given their parents grant permission.

The director of education labor union AOb, Tamar van Gelder, remained cautious in her optimism about the use of self-tests in schools. “It can work as a preventive measure, but we cannot let go of the measures in place. If you want real security, then we need the vaccines”, van Gelder said.

Many teachers are still concerned about contracting the coronavirus on the job, van Gelder pointed out. "In secondary education it is certainly difficult to maintain one and a half meter distance. And you are working with students between the ages of 12 and 17 were infection numbers are high", van Gelder warned.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Netherlands named 8th least corrupt nation in annual review, but issues remain
  • Dutch human rights institute critical of “disproportionate” arrest of climate protesters
  • Teens in custody for Hague snack bar owner's murder previously involved in stabbings
  • Dutch Eurovision singer Heddy Lester dies at age 72
  • Utrecht civil servants begin weeklong strike
  • Princess Beatrix, the former queen, celebrate her 85th birthday

Top stories

  • Dutch human rights institute critical of “disproportionate” arrest of climate protesters
  • Regions outside Randstad against limiting international students
  • Rutte, Macron and Biden not yet ready to give Ukraine F-16 jets
  • Housing construction at highest level in decade; Still 26% below gov't target
  • Threats prompt the Netherlands to close its Istanbul consulate to the public
  • Pro-Russian hackers Killnet behind Groningen hospital cyberattack

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content