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Covid-19 self-tests for primary school students in first week of new term as 'one-time sweep': Chan Chun Sing

SINGAPORE — The Covid-19 self-tests done by primary school students in the first week of the new school term will serve as a "one-time sweep" to assure people, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Sunday (Sept 12).

Covid-19 self-tests for primary school students in first week of new term as 'one-time sweep': Chan Chun Sing
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SINGAPORE — The Covid-19 self-tests done by primary school students in the first week of the new school term will serve as a "one-time sweep" to assure people, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Sunday (Sept 12).

Pupils will head back to school on Monday for the start of Term 4, and in that first week, all primary school students will be given three antigen rapid self-test kits.

The Ministry of Health announced last month that three kits would be given to all students and employees of preschools, Ministry of Education Kindergartens, early intervention centres, primary schools and special education schools (primary and junior sections).

This is on top of the six test kits distributed to all households from Aug 28 to Sept 27.

“We encourage families to familiarise themselves with the use (of the kits) by helping our students do a self-test at home this week,” Mr Chan said in a Facebook post.

“In time to come, we may also request additional self-tests to be done. This would strengthen our efforts to further reduce the risks of transmissions in our schools.”

After using one kit for the test, the other two kits will serve as future contingencies and will be replenished as necessary, he added.

Mr Chan outlined a four-pronged approach to keep children, teachers and school staff members safe during this period when there is a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Aside from self-testing, tight safety measures will continue to be implemented in schools, Mr Chan said. This includes mask-wearing and good personal hygiene, as well as keeping co-curricular activities suspended.

He also said that the authorities will continue to “rapidly isolate and ring-fence known cases and their close contacts to minimise transmission risks and disruption to the rest of the students, staff and families”.

“This sustainable approach will allow our children to continue learning safely.”

He reminded parents not to let their children go to school if their child is unwell, or if a family member is undergoing quarantine or required to be in isolation.

“While the children who have contracted Covid-19 thus far have relatively mild symptoms, we must remain vigilant,” he said. CNA

For more news like this, visit cna.asia

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