The government of Burundi last week implemented compulsory vaccination among all pupils in boarding schools and teachers in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Last week, a compulsory screening campaign for all pupils in boarding schools began which initiative will last until 14 September.
One of these screening centers is located in the SOCARTIE district, Kamenge zone, Ntahangwa commune in the north of Bujumbura.
Parents and pupils responded massively to this campaign. Long queues began to form in the morning hours around 10 am local time and more than 400 pupils had already been screened at the time of filming this report.
We are going to work to enable these students to access testing easily and we have called on those in charge of the sites to give preference to the students,” Dr. Thaddee Ndikumana who is the minister of public health and Aids control in Burundi said.
Dr. Thaddee also said that the screening site in the north of Bujumbura, some parents accompanied their children and supported the campaign since it is very necessary to avoid the spread of the virus in schools.
“As parents, we welcomed this measure to examine our children. To those who have not yet understood, we ask them to turn up in large numbers tomorrow.” one of the parents asked.
The students are aware of the danger of this disease. Some have expressed fears warning that their studies can be disrupted if they test positive.
“It will affect me a lot. Because this is the time to prepare for the National Competition. It can affect me a lot,” a student said.
According to the government’s COVID-19 report dated September 6, 2021 the daily average rate of new COVID-19 cases stood at 154, since July 21, 2021 the date when the highest number of new cases was recorded.
Schools in Burundi reopen on Monday September 13, after a three-month long holiday, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases countrywide following the mandatory COVID-19 screening for students.
Learning institutions in Rwanda reopened last month for the third term after the government lifted the 15-day lockdown on the capital Kigali and eight other districts as Uganda still in predictions.