Vaccinated and recovered students exempted from weekly antigen test

Rapid Antigen Test

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has announced that from next week vaccinated or recovered students are exempted from the weekly rapid antigen tests.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) decided to return the school day to the normal time, which was applied before the COVID-19 pandemic, in all educational stages in terms of the start and end time of the school day, the time of lessons and breaks, with a commitment to implement all precautionary measures, as of Sunday, Feb. 20.

MOEHE also decided to return to teaching physical education to students and implement extra-curricular school activities, including trips and others, in accordance with the applied precautionary measures.

In a statement Thursday, MOEHE said that this decision comes based on coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and in light of the COVID-19 health indicators, stressing the ministry's concern for the students' interest and their academic future.

In a related context, the MOEHE announced that students who have been vaccinated and recovered from COVID-19 infection are exempted from conducting the weekly rapid antigen test, with the need to bring a vaccination certificate proving that they have received two doses of the vaccine during the past nine months or a certificate of recovery from the student's health center.

MOEHE confirmed the continuation of conducting rapid home antigen testing weekly for unvaccinated and non-recovered students, adding that testing devices will continue to be provided to government school students only through their schools, and the date of receipt will be set via text messages that will reach parents.

Also, MOEHE indicated the continuation of random examination at all educational levels by the health teams of the Ministry of Public Health.

The ministry affirmed its keenness and commitment to the continuation of the educational process in a manner commensurate with all circumstances, with emphasis on the adhering of precautionary measures for students and educational and administrative staff in accordance with the protocol approved by the Ministry of Public Health, especially the commitment to wearing masks, physical distancing and good ventilation in the classroom, and administrative offices.

MOEHE called on parents and students to adhere to the precautionary measures to preserve their health and to contribute to the continuation of the educational process regularly. (QNA)