Newbury College begins COVID testing

A heart-warming community response supports testing at @newburycollege

12 January 2021, Newbury, Berkshire – A team within the College has been hard at work across the Christmas break to deliver the Government lateral flow testing offer for students and staff. Following an appeal on the 30 December, for community volunteers to assist staff volunteers with the project, there has been a fantastic response.

Thanks to the hard work and efforts of the College team, supported by the community volunteers, lateral flow testing for Newbury College students and staff will commence this week.

Principal Iain Wolloff commented:

“We are incredibly grateful to the staff and community volunteers that have put together this plan so efficiently.

“This is another robust measure that ensures the safety of our students and staff during the pandemic and supports the continuation of teaching and learning.”

Priority testing has been offered to vulnerable students and students of critical workers who continue to learn onsite, alongside the vital staff that support them. An online booking system is ready to accommodate the safe scheduling of tests alongside social distancing guidelines, for all students and staff.

Health and Safety Manager, Carl Riva noted:

“We have a great team and a solid system in place to enable a swift and safe testing process. We would ask all those invited to arrive on time and leave immediately after their test as well as being careful to follow the social distancing guidelines while onsite.”

Students and staff, who are currently following government guidance to work from home, will be invited to book a test once the restrictions have eased and they are able to return to College safely.