Govt develops Covid-19 protocols as schools open

Ministries of Education and Health have developed Covid-19 protocols for students returning to educational institutions tomorrow, January 4.

Among others, students will be screened upon their return and those showing symptoms of Covid-19 will be referred for testing.

In a joint statement released yesterday, Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Charles Mwansambo and his Education counterpart Chikondano Musa urged authorities in education institutions to follow the guidelines.

The statement reads in part: “Prior to reporting to boarding institutions, students that are feeling unwell should visit their nearest health facility for a health check.

“The health service provider shall determine whether the student should be referred for a Covid-19 test or not.

“When students arrive on the first day, they will be screened for symptoms of Covid-19 [fever, cough, scratchy / sore throats, body pains, loss of taste and smell etc.] Students with symptoms of Covid-19 will be referred to a health provider who shall determine whether to test them for Covid-19 or not.”

The two said if a student tests positive they should be isolated within the institution for 10 days before returning to class.

The ministries have also called on all institutions to ensure that all students and staff adhere to all Covid-19 prevention protocols.

These include ensuring physical distancing, mask wearing, sanitising/hand washing, decontamination of frequently touched surfaces and vaccinations and updated standard operating procedures.

“Pfizer vaccines are now available in health facilities for age groups 12-17 years. In keeping with the latest guidelines from Ministry of Health, parents are strongly encouraged to use this opportunity to have their children vaccinated.

“Students aged 18 years and above and members of staff are also encouraged to get vaccinated with the other available Covid-19 vaccines,” it adds.

Teachers Union of Malawi president Willie Malimba said in an interview yesterday the schools were yet to be provided with personal protective equipment (PPEs).

“Budgets for PPEs have been done, and we are told that money is available, so we expect that the first week we will start without PPEs.

“However, we are hopeful that councils will get money during the same first week and purchase the PPEs,” he said.

Civil Society Education Coalition executive director Benedicto Kondowe said government does not have capacity for the screening.

He said: “Government should first have done monitoring visits, samples ones to check situation on the ground. The screening is good, but we don’t have capacity.

“Any lapse would trigger serious consequences. Do we have enough personnel to do the screening? Am of the view that it may not be practical, there is need for mobilising enough human capital. We were supposed to do a phased approach to reopening.”