AMHERST — Every student attending public schools in Amherst will be going home with rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits this week as part of a collaboration with the town aimed at keeping people safe over the holiday break.
With 7,470 self-test kits provided by the state to the town, all students will be getting two kits, each of which has two self-administered tests inside.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said Tuesday that the emphasis for the town is on increasing access to testing for individuals and families, no matter their financial circumstances or ability to navigate other testing options. Instructions for using the test will be provided in multiple languages.
“Our mission is to get them out to people before Christmas,” Bockelman said, adding that people have to make decisions about working, traveling or getting together with family.
Bockelman said the hope is people across the economic spectrum will use the tests, as well as people who have regular contact with the public.
At the Regional School Committee meeting Tuesday, Superintendent Michael Morris announced the plans. He said the tests will go to students whether they live in Amherst or one of the other regional communities served.
In addition to the schools, the Amherst Survival Center gave out the tests with meals on Tuesday, the Amherst Housing Authority is receiving an allotment and Craig’s Doors will be using them at its shelter sites. In addition, restaurant workers will be able to pick up kits through the Amherst Business Improvement District.
Health Director Jennifer Brown said the rapid antigen tests are another mitigation tool.
“They can assess if you are positive for COVID-19, for example if you are symptomatic or have had exposure to someone who tested positive,” Brown said. “They can be used to assess if you are negative, before going to school, a restaurant or meeting with family or loved ones.”
Test results are available in 15 minutes and samples do not need to go to a laboratory. People also don’t need a cellphone or computer for any part of the test.
The town’s efforts come as the Public Health Promotion Center at the University of Massachusetts will be closed from Thursday through Jan. 2. The site in the Campus Center has been where people can pick up tests, and test kits have also been distributed, for free, at the Jones Library and Bangs Community Center for the public.
All the drop boxes for the tests are being bagged to prevent people from trying to deposit the tests.
Due to the shuttering of the Amherst site for several days, Bockelman told the Town Council the next week or so is a “dark” period for data about COVID-19 infections and whether there is increasing spread in the community.
Councilors asked Bockelman if proof of vaccination, like in Boston, might be implemented in Amherst as a requirement to enter restaurants and other indoor venues.
Bockelman said that is not being considered at this time, with Amherst policies generally aligned with those in Northampton.
He also observed that businesses don’t appear to be a vector for spreading the virus, with most cases occurring at homes and in other settings.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
