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UK kids return to school backed by testing

AAP
British children will return to school on Monday after a two-month closure.
Camera IconBritish children will return to school on Monday after a two-month closure.

British children are gearing up to return to school after a two-month closure, in what Prime Minister Boris Johnson says is a part of a plan to "start moving closer to a sense of normality."

Johnson's roadmap for lifting lockdown measures sees schools opening first on Monday, followed in stages by the gradual easing of restrictions on socialising, non-essential shops and hospitality.

"The reopening of schools marks a truly national effort to beat this virus," Johnson said.

"It is because of the determination of every person in this country that we can start moving closer to a sense of normality - and it is right that getting our young people back into the classroom is the first step."

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The return of millions of high school and university students is backed by a coronavirus testing regime, both at school and at home.

Authorities want to quickly detect and isolate asymptomatic cases in order to avoid sending entire schools home.

"We are being cautious in our approach so that we do not undo the progress we have made so far," Johnson said as he urged people to get vaccinated.

The UK government has distributed nearly 57 million rapid "lateral flow" coronavirus test kits to schools across the country, providing fast results.

After three initial tests on site, students will be provided with two tests to use each week at home.

Britain has had Europe's deadliest outbreak, with nearly 125,000 COVID-19 deaths, but the nation has reduced infections significantly in recent weeks and is fast rolling out its vaccination program.

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