WORCESTER, Mass. — Delays in delivering at-home COVID-19 tests to teachers and staff prompted the Massachusetts Teachers Association to call for school to be canceled on Monday. The Educational Association of Worcester said the tests are already in school buildings. 

The delivery of 200,000 at-home tests statewide was delayed because of supply chain issues. In Worcester, test kits and KN95 masks are ready to be picked up by teachers and staff before they return to school on Monday. However, the EAW said they'd like to see more precautions in place, like a two-hour delay to give staff enough time to get adjusted. 

"I put that forward to the superintendent and there wasn't any interest of having a two-hour delay," said EAW president Roger Nugent. "I would like to see us go remote for a couple of weeks until things die down, but obviously Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley doesn't see that as an option and that's unfortunate."

The EAW said members can pick up masks and testing kits at schools on Sunday from 9 – 11 a.m. If they can't make it, the materials will be ready for them on Monday morning.