Teachers in Zimbabwe’s public schools have reportedly been warned against revealing their health status if they test positive for COVID-19.
Progressive Teachers Association of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe on Thursday said he had spoken to two teachers at a Highfield school in Harare confirming that they tested positive for the coronavirus.
The teachers said they have been instructed to adhere to the Official Secrets Act, a law prohibiting the disclosure of official information by unauthorised persons for any purpose considered prejudicial to the safety or interests of Zimbabwe, and not tell anyone. Majongwe posted on Twitter:
Have just spoken to 2 teachers at a Highfield school confirming they are Covid19 positive and they have [been] instructed to adhere to the Official Secrets Act and not tell anyone.
This comes when positive COVID-19 cases at schools are surging alarmingly across the country.
Sanyati Baptist High School has become the latest school to be affected by the coronavirus, with nine students testing positive for COVID-19.
Mashonaland West acting medical director, Gift Masoja confirmed the development saying the school has since been quarantined.