The Moldovan authorities do not yield to pressure. The presentation of the results of the PCR or antigen tests remains mandatory for non-vaccinated teachers, said Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița. According to her, the health of students and offering of a safe studying environment for them remain the Government’s priorities. The state cannot cover the costs associated with the purchase of tests as it provides free vaccines for all the employees of the education system who are willing to get a vaccine, IPN reports.

Premier Natalia Gavrilița makes gloomy forecasts about the evolution of the fourth pandemic wave. She considers that if the authorities do not take harsh measures, the school can become a real hotbed of infections and the children will transmit the virus from teachers to parents and grandparents.

“The free tests are necessary when vaccination is not free and there are no other state policies aimed at containing the pandemic. We are witnessing a new wave of infections caused by the Delta variant and the infection rate is much higher. We are expecting a much higher number of infections at the end of October. Forecasts put the figure at over 3,000 infections a day. We are trying to overcome this wave without sacrificing the health of children, without compromising the process of study,” the official stated in the talk show “Natalia Morari’s Politics” on TV8 channel.  

The Premier said the state does not intend to ensure the free testing of employees of the education system as long as vaccination is free and the teaching staff can get a vaccine free of charge.

Natalia Gavrilița noted that the authorities will impose new restrictions following the experience at Summer Fest that involved thousands of people who ignored all the epidemiological norms.

“This virus outside spreads less and the possibility of infection is lower. On the Independence Day and at Summer Fest, we had employees of the Ministry of the Interior who obliged the people to wear masks. However, immediately after the police officers left, the people took the masks off. Therefore, we will come with additional restrictions.”

The National Extraordinary Public Health Commission decided that the teaching staff as from September 1 will be obliged to do COVID-19 tests once in 14 days at the own expense. The decision is aimed at encouraging the teachers to get vaccinated so as to reach a vaccination rate of 95% at each education institution.