LOS ANGELES (KNX) — A hefty shipment of at-home COVID testing kits intended for California’s students were on the way Tuesday, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.
The testing kits arrived at the governor’s warehouse Monday night and were set to be immediately sent to counties for distribution, according to Newsom’s office.
Officials didn’t say how many tests were being sent out to students, but the announcement comes after Los Angeles Unified School District officials said all students and staff would be required to be tested for COVID-19 before returning to school following the holiday break.
Testing will be required regardless of vaccination status.
Just a few weeks ago, Newsom spoke on state education leaders’ commitment to keeping schools open for safe, in-person learning.
“Across California, school communities — students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators and board members together — have worked tirelessly to keep schools both safe and in-person,” Newsom said in a statement. “California schools have been open because of, not despite of, our priority on safety. As we approach the new year, we reaffirm our shared commitment to one another, to our parents and to our students: to keep each other safe and to keep our classrooms open.”