what are current rules on testing primary school kids?

[Tulipomania]

Visiting family next weekend, after it's allowed.

They have a young child in primary school - would they be required to have regular lateral flow tests at school?

DH & I are a bit wary as we've only had our first vaccine.

Primary school children won't be having regular lateral flow tests.

You could, however, always ask that everyone takes an LFT before you get together? However, if the child is the lower end of primary school it's likely their parents may not be too keen.

As UserAtRandom says, only secondary pupils are doing lateral flow testing. There is easy access to lateral flow tests now and I would happily test myself before seeing others, but wouldn’t be prepared to test my 5 year old unless he was symptomatic as the one PCR test we have had to do so far was so stressful.

Primary parents might be as they can.

Lft are less than 50% accurate.
Can you stay outside?

Thanks god there are none! Why should they be tested? You will be fine

They won't be required to do anything. The parents can (and are encouraged to) do lateral flow testing regularly. Lateral flow tests aren't intended for primary age children.

Thanks everyone for clarifying the situation.

I understand that parents won't want their younger DC to take an LFT so I'm not going to ask them to do that.

I know they are not as accurate but would still find a level of reassurance from a negative result (I think it's more of an issue with false positives). But we will just be careful, fresh air, socially distance from the kids, etc.

Honestly if you were coming to visit me and my young DC and wanting to avoid him like the plague and actively socially distance from him I'd prefer you not to come at all.
Young children are not programmed to social distance so be prepared for that child to want to get within 2m of you especially if you've previously had a close relationship. young ones revel in someone new to talk too, to impress with their latest dance moves, share toys with, tell stories too maybe even want a cuddle with, if you won't be comfortable with this then please don't go it won't be a pleasant experience for anyone. If your scared of being close to a young primary aged child then you aren't ready to socialise. I'm going to take a guess and assume that you aren't CEV as most would be having/had their 2nd vaccine by now.

ODFOD wellbythebloodyhell

Where did I say I would avoid them like the plague?

We will be sensible, that is all. DH is 2 weeks away from 2nd vaccine & I am a month and it is over 18 months since we have seen these family members.

Jeez you are a nasty piece of work.

@Tulipomania

Thanks everyone for clarifying the situation.

I understand that parents won't want their younger DC to take an LFT so I'm not going to ask them to do that.

I know they are not as accurate but would still find a level of reassurance from a negative result (I think it's more of an issue with false positives). But we will just be careful, fresh air, socially distance from the kids, etc.

Lateral flow tests are more likely to give a false negative rather than a false positive.

Thanks for correcting me Bunbury.

www.gov.uk/government/news/new-analysis-of-lateral-flow-tests-shows-specificity-of-at-least-999

@Tulipomania

ODFOD wellbythebloodyhell

Where did I say I would avoid them like the plague?

We will be sensible, that is all. DH is 2 weeks away from 2nd vaccine & I am a month and it is over 18 months since we have seen these family members.

Ok maybe I exaggerated the avoid them like the plague I apologise but you did state you'll "socially distance from the kids" I just want you to be realistic that with young primary children that's neigh on impossible If that's going to be a problem for you then don't go. I mean what will your reaction be a one of them kids decides they want to sit on your knee or start putting a toy right in your face they've just sneezed over or want to continually sit at the side of you telling you what they've been up too for the past 18 months?
Being socially distant works both ways make sure the dc have got the memo beforehand 👍

That says they have a low level of false positives. I note it says nothing about false negatives!

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/15/what-is-lateral-flow-covid-test-how-accurate

I barely know the children (but have had my own, albeit a very long time ago). I don't think it's going to be an issue with fresh air & hand washing (me, not the kids); I've certainly got no intention of being rude or unpleasant as yous seemed to imply.

I wanted to know if it would be reasonable to ask the parents if they'd all had a LFT, and now I understand the protocol, I'm not going to ask.

We all have different levels of risk we are prepared to take, I understand and respect that and hope others would too.

FWIW I don't think you'd be unreasonable to ask if the parents have been doing lft tests as that's what has been advised (although not compulsory) to try and pick up any infections picked up and transmitted via the younger ones. Sorry if I came across harsh reading it back I did go straight for the knee jerk reaction I could have worded it nicer

Every single box of lfd tests I've had have stated they are not to be used in under 11s.

Thanks for the apology and the bloodyhell. All too rare on MN and much appreciated.

Cases are also pretty low, so between that and your single vaccine I would say your chances of catching anything would be really quite low. Especially with fresh air and distance in the mix.