UNIVERSITY of Reading students could be offered coronavirus tests that produce results within 15 minutes so they can get home for Christmas.

This week, the university will find out whether it has been chosen for a government scheme to roll out mass testing at universities.

The scheme aims to stop students from spreading Covid-19 to other areas of the country.

READ MORE: Forbury Gardens knife attacker admits murder

If selected, the university will provide the 15-minute voluntary tests to all students, even if they are not showing symptoms, between November 30 and December 9.

If a student tests negative, they will have to take another test three days later, before being allowed to go home.

If a test is positive, they will then be asked to take a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test at another centre. If that test is also positive, they will be asked to remain in Reading and self-isolate for 10 days.

The government wants all testing to be done by December 9, so students who have to self-isolate can still get home in time for Christmas.

“We’ll find out by Friday (November 13) if we can be part of the mass testing programme,” said professor Parveen Yaqoob, the university’s deputy vice chancellor.

“The government would provide us with the testing kits we need, but we have to identify a site, set it up, find a workforce and train them and manage the whole thing.

“At the moment we’re working on the assumption we will be approved for mass testing, even though we won’t find out until the end of the week.

“We have to have this up and running within two weeks and there’s an awful lot of logistics to get our heads around.”

She added: “But the government is going to give priority to those universities that have higher case numbers and our case numbers are actually very low compared with a lot of other universities.”

READ MORE: West Berkshire's Covid-19 hotspots revealed

So far, 244 students and 15 members of staff have tested positive for the virus at the University of Reading, but professor Yaqoob insists the situation is “under control”.

Last week, students were criticised for flouting coronavirus restrictions after they attended a large party in central Reading on November 4 – the day before the four-week national lockdown began.

Thames Valley Police said they found more than 50 drunk people at the property and the organisers were fined £30,000.

Professor Yaqoob said: “We haven’t heard of anything since then. Last week was reading week for us and quite a few students went home, so it was very quiet.”