BUSINESS REPORTER
Zimbabwe’s schools will remain open despite the detection of new infections among learners and teachers as the number of positive cases is insignificant, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
Zimbabwe has recorded a number of new infections in schools which opened for all classes on September 6. Of the 248 cases recorded on Monday, new infections in schools were 144 amid calls from teachers unions for the government to temporarily close schools.
Briefing journalists after a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Mutsvangwa said all cases are being well-managed in line with the Standard Guidelines for the Coordinated Prevention and Management of Covid-19 at all learning institutions in Zimbabwe.
“Furthermore, most cases among learners are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms,” Mutsvangwa said.
“Accordingly, Cabinet resolved that schools will remain open. Learners who are isolated will be provided with alternative learning platforms.”
She said the government will enhance surveillance and contact-tracing at schools and in the surrounding communities, increasing on-site Covid-19 testing of all suspected cases, contacts, and surrounding communities, isolation and management of all Covid-19 positive cases, and quarantining of those exposed as part of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 among learners.
The government has also restricted movement into and out of the affected schools until the outbreaks have been controlled and enhancement of public health and social protocols, including social distancing, hand washing, sanitisation, and wearing of face masks.
It will empower teachers to detect and report suspected cases and enhancement of awareness campaigns in schools and surrounding communities and vaccination of all eligible populations in schools and surrounding communities.
