School pupils across Fife have been urged to continue testing for COVID at home for the foreseeable future in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.

Youngsters and staff have returned to classrooms across the region and, although official figures have not been released by Fife Council, it is understood absences have been at a worryingly high level.

All pupils are being urged to take lateral flow tests twice weekly.

Anyone who receives a positive test result, those with symptoms, or those identified as close contacts, should immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “It is our absolute priority to keep schools safely open and minimise further disruption to learning. 

“To achieve that, we need the help of the whole school community.

“We are grateful to schools for their continued efforts to stress the importance of asymptomatic testing.

“Parents of secondary pupils can also help by encouraging their children to make testing part of their weekly routine – and, importantly, to report all results online, whether positive, negative or void.

“Safety guidance for schools was updated in December in light of Omicron and it is crucial that all the mitigations are strictly followed. 

“These include physical distancing, one-way systems and the correct use of face coverings.

“By testing regularly and following the mitigations, pupils and staff can all play their part in keeping themselves, their families and their schools safe."