A child is seen at St James's Park in central London, Britain, Feb. 26, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

Photo taken on Sept. 8, 2020 shows a sign outside Old Moat Primary School in Greater Manchester, Britain.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

Photo taken on Sept. 8, 2020 shows Co-op Academy in Swinton in Greater Manchester, Britain.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
Those who are living with school-aged children in England will be eligible for two rapid coronavirus tests a week when pupils return to the classroom, British health authorities said Sunday.

The new measures apply to anyone in a household or support bubble with a child or young person who will return to college, primary or secondary school in England on March 8, according to the British Department of Health and Social Care.

"Testing family members will provide yet another layer of reassurance to parents and education staff that schools are as safe as possible, building on the massive increase in testing for secondary school and college students, and strengthened requirements around face coverings in areas where social distancing cannot be maintained," said British Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.

Meanwhile, Medical Director and Director of Health Protection for Public Health England Yvonne Doyle also urged people to get tested.

"I would encourage all eligible households to take up the offer of twice weekly rapid testing -- it's quick and painless and could help save lives," Doyle said.

According to the British government, secondary school and college students will now be tested twice a week, receiving three initial tests at school or college before transitioning to twice weekly home testing.

Primary school children will not be regularly asymptomatically tested due to low levels of transmission between younger aged children but will continue to need to come forward for tests if they have symptoms, said the British government in a statement.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.