Troops on standby to run coronavirus testing in schools and colleges

More than 1000 troops have been put on standby to run testing in schools and colleges as ministers battle to get pupils back into the classroom. Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, said on Monday that “at the moment” the Government intended to go ahead with its plans for a staggered return of schools but admitted it was being kept “under review.” On Monday night it was announced that from January, 1,500 military personnel will be on standby across England to roll out testing to students and staff as they form local response teams. The troops’ duties will include providing support and phone advice to institutions needing guidance on the testing process, as well as setting up testing facilities. He said: “They’ll share considerable experience of testing across the country and the successful school pilots conducted this autumn.