At least 11 public schools and preschools have reached the 80 per cent saliva screening consent threshold required by the government to reopen for in person learning.

And the Premier, David Burt, said that some schools could return to class as soon as yesterday.

Schools that reached the threshold began testing this week. On Monday, pupils at Lagoon Park Preschool, Southampton Preschool, and St Paul’s Preschool were tested.

The Premier said in a Covid-19 press conference yesterday: “The Ministry [of Education] is currently discussing plans to have these schools opened on a staggered basis, beginning as early as tomorrow.”

Gilbert Institute, West Pembroke Primary School, and Port Royal Primary School were tested on Tuesday.

And as of Tuesday, East End Primary School, Purvis Primary School, Victor Scott Pre-School, Prospect Primary School, and Success Academy reached 80 per cent consent and testing will commence today.

Mr Burt said: “This means we will have had 33 per cent of our schools that have exceeded 80 per cent saliva screening consent tested in preparation for a return to in-classroom learning.

“Once a school reaches over 80 per cent consent, testing is arranged. The results and data received from the tests will help determine when a school can return to in-classroom learning.

“The schools are aware of those who have not signed up for the regular saliva screening and are making contact with parents directly to discuss. Parents who would like to know the consent level of their child’s school are able to contact the school principal directly.

“Our primary goal as the government remains to get students back into the classroom as soon as possible.”

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, said earlier in the week that a minimum of 80 per cent of a school’s population had to have presented negative coronavirus tests before it will be allowed to return to normal.

Mr Burt continued to advocate for as many people as possible in the community at large to get vaccinated in order to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.

He added: “We can all assist our students and teachers by doing what we can to contain this outbreak, get our schools back open, and to keep them open safely. Vaccinations remain one of the best and most effective ways we can protect ourselves and others.

“I am grateful that we continue to see an increase in registrations for the vaccine. The more people who get vaccinated, the more community protection we will have against the highly contagious Delta variant.”