Punjab to conduct random Covid-19 tests in educational institutions

Provincial authorities will collect 5,000 samples daily from hundreds of schools and colleges

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has decided to conduct random coronavirus tests of students and teachers across the province as educational institutions are set to reopen in phases from September 15.

In a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19, the authorities concerned will carry out 5,000 coronavirus tests daily in hundreds of schools and colleges across the province.

The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman said more samples for coronavirus will be taken from those institutions that are situated in the areas most affected by the pandemic.

In line with the direction of National Command and Control Centre (NCOC), the authorities will launch an awareness campaign at high-risk educational institutions, he said, adding that teams of education department will be trained to take samples for Covid-19.

Following a significant fall in new coronavirus cases, the federal government on Monday announced ending a long closure of schools and colleges that led to exam cancellations and introduction of online classes by a number of institutions.

“Higher education institutions and senior school classes will reopen on September 15, class six till eight will open again on September 23, and on September 30 primary classes will reopen,” Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood told a news conference.