Story at a glance
- Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced plans to provide free rapid antigen test kits to families with children in kindergarten through grade 12.
- Families will be able to pick up one kit per child this week at sites across the state.
- Children are not required to take the tests before returning to school in January.
Vermont plans on giving thousands of rapid at-home COVID-19 tests to parents this week as students are set to return to the classroom next month.
“I encourage families to take advantage of these rapid tests,” Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) said in a statement Wednesday.
“Testing your child before school starts gives you peace of mind and will slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. It also will help protect the most vulnerable and keep schools open, so kids can get the education they need and deserve,” Scott said.
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Parents and guardians can now register for the program on the state’s health department website and will be able to pick up the at-home tests starting Thursday at one of the state’s 51 Agency of Transportation sites from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Officials are encouraging parents and guardians to administer the tests to their children before they return to school, but students are not required to take them to set foot on campuses, according to the statement.
“The virus is highly contagious, and will spread easily, especially in closed, indoor settings such as schools. This is especially true of the new Omicron variant,” Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine said in a statement.
“So, I am again asking every parent and caregiver in Vermont to please get your children vaccinated. There is a vaccine available for kids ages five and older that will give them the protection they need to stay safe and healthy and help protect the people they are with – especially those who are at high risk of serious outcomes if they get the virus,” he added.
Caregivers will need to provide their child’s name and the name of their school before they can pick up a test. Only one kit, which contains two swabs that must be used at least 24-hours apart, will be given per child.
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