The governor’s administration says the state’s pooled coronavirus testing program for Maine classrooms will come to an end in May.

The administration of Governor Janet Mills said Wednesday that pooled testing, which uses a single test sample collected from a group or classroom, is less effective at detecting the more contagious BA.2 variant of the virus before it spreads. The administration also pointed to the widespread availability of at-home tests for students and staff.

“While pooled testing was an important tool for schools in an earlier phase of the pandemic, regular home testing is a more effective strategy given how contagious the BA.2 variant is,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “By providing schools and families with access to free tests, we can continue to ensure the health and safety of students and school staff.”

The Maine DHHS is making 1.1 million at-home test kits available to all K-12 schools in the state, with each kit containing five to six tests.

The final week of pooled testing in schools will be May 9-13, with the last set of results reported to schools by May 15.