‘Self-test kits only for students with symptoms’
COVID-19 self-test kits at schools are only for students displaying coronavirus-related symptoms.
Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said Rapid Test Kit-Antigen (RTK-Antigen) would not be distributed regularly at day schools, unlike full boarding schools where screenings would be conducted on the registration day, as well as six and 14 days after the students’ arrival at school.
“For day schools, test kits will be used only if the students are displaying symptoms. If the student arrives at school looking well, but develops symptoms later in the day, then the school will isolate the student and conduct the test before taking the next action.
“I have discussed with the Health Ministry and we have agreed that if there is a case (in school), the district Health office will advise the school on the guidelines it should follow,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
Radzi was responding to Jempol member of parliament Datuk Salim Sharif’s supplementary question on whether Covid-19 self-test kits are distributed once a week or regularly to students to contain the spread of the virus.
The self-test kit using saliva was easier and safer for students, Radzi said, adding that the ministry had decided that only these test kits would be used in schools to detect Covid-19.
He said since Covid-19 self-test kits had to be supplied urgently before schools reopened last Sunday, the ministry had submitted an application to implement the procurement through direct negotiations on Aug 9, involving a total contract value of RM9.72 million.
“In line with the approval of the Finance Ministry, 800,000 test kits needed to be distributed immediately to 140 district Education offices and state Education departments.
“The delivery of the test kits was completed by all companies on Sept 25, the supply of which is for the school reopening session from October to December this year.”