Aberystwyth University has confirmed that it is planning to offer coronavirus testing for students returning to the town after the Christmas holiday.

The university has already said it is taking part in a government scheme to offer a new Covid-19 test to students before they leave for Christmas in order to reduce the spread of the virus through travel over the holidays.

The university said that “while the university’s current planning is focused on testing prior to students’ departure from their term-time accommodation”, they added that “they intend to soon start planning to offer testing again on students’ return in 2021.”

The university will be working closely with the government to host a new testing centre on its Penglais campus, offering students and staff free Lateral Flow tests.

The new tests can detect the presence of coronavirus by applying a swab or saliva sample to the device’s absorbent pad. The sample runs along the surface of the pad, showing a visual positive or negative result dependent on the presence of the virus.

The testing on Aberystwyth University’s campus will take place between Monday, 30 November and Monday, 7 December.

Aberystwyth University vice-chancellor Prof Elizabeth Treasure said: “Our priority is the health and wellbeing of students, staff and the wider community.

“That has been our approach since the start of the pandemic.

“In line with that, we are putting practical plans in place to offer Covid-19 testing to our students prior to the Christmas break.

“While only a relatively small number of our students have tested positive for Covid-19, these tests are designed to detect whether an individual is asymptomatic.

“This could add significantly to efforts reduce Covid-19 transmission in future.

“The testing we’re planning to make available at Aberystwyth University is part of a wider pilot scheme for mass testing.

“It will offer participants the opportunity to know whether they are infectious on the day they take their test.

“On the basis of the results received, we want to enable individuals to make the best choices they can in order to keep themselves, their friends and families safe."

The tests will be available to all university students who wish to take one, and will be provided free of charge.

Eifion Evans, chief executive of Ceredigion County Council, added: “Testing asymptomatic students will enable them to go home over Christmas knowing that they have further information which will enable them to keep their families, friends and communities safe from the coronavirus.

“We urge as many students as possible to take up the opportunity for a test.

“If this is a success, it is hoped that similar testing could be undertaken on students’ return to Aberystwyth in January, which will safeguard both the student population and the wider population of Ceredigion.”