St Andrews University to roll out mass covid testing for students before Christmas break

The University of St Andrews is rolling out end of term Covid tests for all students before they head home for Christmas.

The university will use their sports centre as a covid testing centre for students.

The asymptomatic tests will be free and available for all students planning to leave St Andrews over the Christmas holiday break and for those students remaining in the Fife town.

The University plans to open a covid testing centre by Monday November 30 in their Sports Centre.

The test on offer for students is a lateral-flow test which takes a few minutes and involves taking a swab from the mouth and nose.

Students will be notified of the test result by email or text within at least 24 hours by NHS Test and Protect.

The tests are voluntary, however, students have been strongly advised by the university to do them to minimise the risk of taking the virus back to family or friends over the holidays.

The Scottish Government is recommending that two tests are taken, at least three days apart and not more than five days apart, to have the greatest level of assurance that students are not infectious with covid before they leave the university town.

If students test positive, they will be asked by NHS Test and Protect to take a further type of test at the Covid Testing Centre in St Andrews to confirm the result and should self-isolate.

If the test is negative, students are advised by the university to travel as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, after receiving the negative result to minimise the risk of contracting Covid.

A University of St Andrews spokesperson said: “Our priority this term has been to keep our community safe and, in doing so, ensure that the wider community of St Andrews is as safe as possible.

“This has been a very challenging semester for everyone at St Andrews, but the response of the vast majority of our students to the risks of Covid transmission and the necessary

restrictions placed on them has been hugely positive and responsible.

“As the end of term approaches, we hope this new testing regime will allow students to travel home for Christmas with the reassurance that they are not taking Covid with them.”

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