The Saskatchewan government announced a pilot program where 24 schools will receive COVID-19 self-testing rapid antigen kits for families with students younger than 12.

The schools are being chosen in consultation with school divisions and medical health officers based on a variety of factors. Things being weighed include vaccination coverage, active cases, hospitalizations, and school outbreaks.

The province didn't identify any schools that are part of the pilot program, though Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division's Director of Education Gwen Keith confirmed none of their schools are receiving any kits at this point.

The province said parents in participating schools will get notification from the schools on receiving the testing kits.

The province said the kits provide results within 15 minutes and are safe and easy to use. The kits are effective at screening those who have COVID-19 but are asymptomatic, according to the province. They also said a positive antigen test should be validated with a lab-based PCR test.