Boris Johnson s plan of mass-testing pupils to keep schools open appeared to be unravelling last night following claims the regulator had withheld its approval.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency would not sign off on the use of rapid 30-minute lateral flow tests for pupils, The Guardian reported.
The Government has denied the claims and defended its use of lateral flow swabs, which experts warn are only suitable for people suffering symptoms.
A Department for Health spokesperson said of the claims: This is not true, the MHRA has not refused to approve rapid testing in schools. Lateral flow devices are a vital tool to finding more asymptomatic cases and the government s approach to testing in schools will reduce transmission.
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MoD scientists at Porton Down laboratory are looking into the new variation
Dr Susan Hopkins said that the new variant of coronavirus has spread to other parts of the UK, but in smaller numbers
Welsh health minister confirmed the new strain was in every part of Wales