Chisinau city halls demands clarifications as to compulsoriness of anti-COVID testing for non-vaccinated teachers

Chisinau, 25 August /MOLDPRES/ - The Chisinau city hall has taken note of the 23 August decision by National Extraordinary Public Health Commission (CNESP); yet, it demands clarifications as to the compulsoriness of anti-Covid testing for teachers and auxiliary staff.    

At a today’s news conference, the Chisinau general mayor, Ion Ceban, said that the compulsoriness for the non-vaccinated employees who work in the municipal education system to make tests at their own expense is one which can be subject to interpretations. “The decision by the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission can be interpreted in many ways. I discussed with city hall’s jurists too. Those who did not vaccinate are members of religions or acted like this due to medical recommendations. I demanded clarifications from CNESP and the Health Ministry. There is a legislative vacuum in the field, which might lead to the blocking of the education process or taking of legal actions with serious financial consequences for the local authorities,’’ Ceban also said.  

The mayor stressed that about 73 per cent of the employees of the municipal education system were vaccinated. ‘’In the Chisinau city, 73 per cent of the education employees are vaccinated. About 2,500 people, mostly auxiliary staff, out of the 9,242 employees of the sector, are not immunized. The great majority of these people have a salary of 1,700 lei. If these people cannot or do not want to be vaccinated, it would be quite difficult for them to cope with these expenses,’’ the mayor said. He noted that the application of this compulsoriness can lead to the deepening of the crisis faced by the Moldovan education system.   

In the context, we remind that Health Minister Ala Nemerenco said at a TV station that the Health Ministry did not impose the compulsoriness of vaccine among teachers; yet, the right to health must prevail. ‘’Nobody has right to endanger the others’ lives and health, especially when it is about children. The children should study in a safe environment. We can stop the movement of the virus only through vaccination coverage,’’ Nemerenco said.  

Under a 23 August decision by the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission, the non-vaccinated people who work in the education or health systems will be obliged to present the quick test AgSarsC-oV-2  or PCR test for Covid-19 once in two weeks. The testing will be made at their own expense.