Tunisia will begin conducting about 2,000 coronavirus rapid tests, in preparation for Baccalaureate students to resume their education.
An official at the ministry of health confirmed that the medical and paramedical teams will conduct a series of coronavirus rapid tests, which will be done over two stages: the first for professors and administrative staff, while the second will include Baccalaureate students before they take their exams.
She said the tests will only be conducted in areas that have recorded high numbers of COVID-19 infections, adding that results will be obtained in less than 15 minutes.
The first batch of the tests will include 1,500 teachers working in educational institutions in nine governorates. The testing will include teachers and professors from: La Manouba, Tunis, Ariana, Ben Arous, Sousse, Gafsa, Qibli, Tataouine, and Medinine.
The second testing day will include 500 Baccalaureate students who live in areas with the highest rates of infection and study in areas with lesser rates.
In April, Education Minister Mohamed Hamdi announced the end of the 2019-2020 school year for all school grades except for Baccalaureate students.
The Minister said the 133,427 candidates for the Baccalaureate exam will resume classes from May 28 to June 23, 2020.
The exams are scheduled from July 8 to 15 and the results will be announced on July 26, while the make-up test is scheduled from July 27 to 30 and the results will be announced on August 9.
According to the Health Ministry’s latest report, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country stood at 1,051, with 919 recoveries and 48 deaths.
