PARENTS in Swindon have mixed views on the regular testing of children for coronavirus as they return to school.

The Government is trying to persuade parents, secondary school pupils and college students to take part in voluntary testing for asymptomatic Covid-19 amid concerns that start of the new term could herald a new wave of infections.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson warned parents and children they should not throw caution to the wind.

Some Adver readers said they will be regularly testing their children to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Suzanne Burgess said: “I work in a school and have two kids at two different schools. To protect our vulnerable relative I will be testing them.

“Whilst we may not be ill, they definitely would be if they caught it from visiting us.”

Emma Griffin said: “My children were tested twice weekly anyway so it’s no different. I do wish you could request more tests online than one pack as with three daughters and myself it’s a pain to request them almost every other day.”

Emma Pepperrell said: “I have been testing them twice a week since January along with ourselves for work, so no changes in our household.”

Claire-Louise Day said: “Yes, I have been testing three times a week even during holidays! To keep on top of things.

“Those that are sat here saying it’s cruel to children, you’re right in terms that it’s not pleasant but look at it this way… a child with cancer goes through worse and by us testing we are helping that little bit to protect. So just get on with it stop making excuses, it’s a swab not a dissection.”

But many are refusing to test their children.

Jamie Durney said: “Not a chance, because my daughter is four years old and to put her through that a couple of times a week, shoving something up her nose and down her throat isn’t fair on her.”

Liz Pollock said: “No. I haven’t tested my six year old for the entire duration and he went to a key worker school, so I’m not about to start now when the country is pretty much back to normal.”

Gail Fisher said: “No, my son has a very small nose and I don’t wish to disturb his nasal passage as he used to suffer recurrent nose bleeds and they used to just start for no reason.”

Lynsey Carr said: “No, didn’t before and my children have not been ill. Instead they had lots of time off due to isolation from other children testing positive, yet none of those were really ill either. All kids are learning lately is how to live in fear.”

Department for Education guidance states that secondary school and college students in England should be tested twice on site on their return, with lateral flow tests carried out between three and five days apart.

Pupils should then continue to test twice weekly at home until the end of September, when the policy will be reviewed.

Mr Williamson’s comments came just days after experts warned that it is highly likely there will be large levels of coronavirus infection in schools by the end of September.