Bahrain rolls out free COVID-19 tests for pupils

Bahrain has rolled out free Covid-19 tests for students at six Indian schools who are taking their final practical examinations.

Around 1,500 youngsters from the Indian School Bahrain, the New Indian School, Asian School, Al Noor International, Ibn Al Haythem Islamic School and the New Millennium School, are currently taking their practical exams across five centres.

The exams commenced on April 11 and will run until April 24.

In line with pandemic protocols, students must present a negative PCR test report (valid for 10 days) taken 72 hours prior to entering the centre. Apart from this, they will also undergo a rapid antigen test before entering their exam halls.

“These tests are free and done in a well organised manner, and this gesture from the Bahrain government is indeed laudable,” said ISB chairman Prince Natarajan.

A dedicated counter has been set up at the Shaikh Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club for students to take their PCR tests, while free rapid test kits are given to schools.

Mr Natarajan said the school had witnessed a number of ‘rare’ cases of students testing positive for Covid-19 at the exam centre, despite recording a negative PCR result just a few days before.

The second antigen test is “a double layer protection,” he said.

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