With school beginning, the province will be launching a pilot program at 24 schools where self-testing rapid antigen kits will be supplied to families with students under 12 years old. That’s because this is the age group not currently eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The province says the schools will be chosen in consultation with the school divisions and Medical Health Officers based on factors like vaccination coverage, active cases, hospitalizations and school programs. More schools will participate as the program evolves. Parents with eligible children in participating schools will be notified by the schools when the testing kits arrive. The government notes that self-testing is easy to do with results within 15 minutes.

The tests are effective in screening people who may be COVID-positive, but have no symptoms.