Nursery and Covid protocol

[GlasgowMum028]

My son has been sent to take a PCR test on the basis that the nursery consider that he has a persistent cough. While I am happy for him to be tested and it's the right thing to do... this new nursery is requesting a PCR test as opposed to an Antigen test which has served the same purpose in another nursery he was attending before.

The problem is the PCR test result being available in 48h as opposed to the Antigen test result available immediately after taking the swab. Does anyone know if it is legal that the nursery demands a negative PCR test result as opposed to a negative Antigen test in order to let him return to nursery?

Many thanks all for your help

If you have symptoms you need a PCR as LFT is not accurate enough to rule out covid as it has a high false negative rate

You should get this moved to the coronavirus board not site stuff..

Old nursery was wrong to let you take a rapid test.
Children shouldn't use them, they are for secondary students and adults without symptoms.

My 3 Yr old had a PCR Mon afternoon, results back at half 8 this morning, I kept him off because of a cough, booked a drive through test straight away. They are right to ask for a PCR test, old nursery were wrong. They can go back with a cough and a negative test, but not for 48 hrs after a high temperature. 5th time I've done this in the last few months, frustrating, affects my job/work, but get it done ASAP.

Just echoing others OP.

The lateral flows shouldn't be used if someone has symptoms as are unreliable so the old nursery was wrong to accept. Our drive through test centres are pretty quick and usually 12 hours.

We're on our 8th PCR this year with DS due to random temps/coughs etc so it's normal and perfectly legal to enforce this

There's no legal argument here. Yes, the nursery are allowed to decide what tests they're willing to accept the results of and yes, it should be a PCR test.

Lateral flows are only for asymptomatic testing, if you have symptoms then you need a pcr test. This has been the case for a while. Lft's are so inaccurate and are giving people false reassurance. Lft tests often don't detect covid or not straight away anyway.

Results are usually pretty quick. Last year we waited 3/4 days for a test result. Recently we had result within 11 hours!

Get the pcr.

To add, the old nursery was wrong to recommend using lateral flows... totally against the official guidance when symptomatic.

Anyone displaying symptoms should have a PCR and isolate until they receive the results.
Your old nursery has gone against the recommend advice and rules around testing.

Childcare settings have specific guidance stating a PCR or isolation must be used in case of symptoms. I only know about rules in England. Other countries may vary.

the nursery haven't decide to ask for a pcr over a lateral flow. That is the guidance. The original nursery should never have allowed a lateral flow for a symptomatic child.