COVID-19 testing support for schools gets enhanced

Convenient and free of charge COVID-19 testing support for Wisconsin schools, in the 2021-22 school year, will now be a possibility. The new program connects schools with testing partners to handle the school’s on-site COVID-19 testing for teachers, staff, students and their families.

The program is intended to make it easier for K-12 public, private and independent charter schools, to offer testing and help people make more informed decisions about how to manage COVID-19 and keep schools operating safely.

“Until COVID-19 vaccines are available to students of all ages, testing remains one of our best tools to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our schools,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “This testing program supports schools, so our educators and staff can focus on what they do best – teaching our kids.”

Through the program, participating K-12 schools and school districts choose the type of COVID-19 testing that works best for their situation, including the following:

• Testing for individuals with symptoms or those who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

• Testing for people who attend or participate in school-based events, or activities.

• Testing on a routine basis for unvaccinated asymptomatic individuals.

• Testing of large groups in the school when there has been a COVID-19 outbreak.

Participation in the program is voluntary. .

Regular COVID-19 testing can help support schools in making decisions about their efforts to protect the health and well-being of those in their buildings, such as universal and correct use of masks, maintaining adequate physical distance, isolation and quarantine, ventilation improvements and thorough handwashing.