Teachers avoiding tests over fear of stigma’

AN education official says the fear of being stigmatised is stopping teachers from going forward to be tested for Coronavirus (Covid-19).
PNG Teachers Association Momase president Mark Nanu said this was due to a lack of awareness to educate the public.
He said teachers from schools in Morobe that had reported Covid-19 cases were asked to go for testing, but many were reluctant for the fear of being confirmed Covid-19 positive.
He said schools needed proper awareness from health officials to clarify the concerns and questions around Covid-19, importance of contact tracing and Covid-19 protective measures.
Nanu said enforcing Covid-19 measures was still a challenge in schools.
“For my school, we have 55 to 60 students in one class and social distancing cannot be maintained,” he said.