The Ministry of Health has said, it will not be carrying out mandatory COVID-19 testing for students before they fully report to schools when they open for candidate classes and final year students this month.
The Director of Clinical Services – Ministry of Health, Dr Charles Olaro said this justifying that it will be very expensive if each and every learner is tested for the virus, which government can’t afford.
Dr Olaro adds that government will carry out wide testing of the learners only after alerts or positive cases are reported in the institutions. This comes after the health ministry instituted Shs. 240,000 on individuals for COVID-19 testing.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine assures the public that as a ministry, they are working around the clock to ensure safety of students when schools re-open.
“The ministry of education is working towards opening schools and we are working with them to make sure all learners are safe. Since the opening will be for finalists, we believe that it’s possible to safe guard all learners if SOPs are followed ,” Dr. Atwine said.
The draft plan for most of the schools as drawn by the Health Ministry has it that government aided schools (both lower and higher institutions) will receive a minimum of six (6) foot and hand operated washing facilities, two (2) temperature guns, one plastic spray pump and 20 liters of disinfectant chemical.
