UK army to help Covid tests as PM faces school pressure

London

BORIS Johnson's government will draft in the armed forces to help with coronavirus testing in schools, as pressure builds on the UK prime minister (PM) to delay students' return after the holidays amid a surge in cases.

The Ministry of Defence said 1,500 personnel will help ensure testing systems are up and running when classrooms reopen in England next week. The government has previously said students facing public exams this year will return on Jan 4, with other pupils back later in the month. But a growing number of unions, politicians and scientists called for more time to prepare testing to prevent infections in schools.