By Wadzanai Jonasi
The Midlands State University (MSU) has suspended lectures with immediate effect amid cases of Covid 19 at the institution, it has been established.
“All students are hereby informed that dates for face-to-face tuition that was scheduled to start on Monday, 6 December 2021 to Friday, 17 December 2021 have been postponed until further notice.
“Please note that it is now a requirement for all students reporting to campus for face to face tuition to have been fully vaccinated against COVID19 and to provide proof of vaccination as a condition for entry into campus,” reads a statement dated 3 December 2021, signed by MSU deputy registrar Dr. Mudzingwa.
MSU students who are not vaccinated will be expected to undergo a valid PCR negative test certificate twice per week during the duration of the face-to-face tuition.
MSU director of information, Mrs Mirirai Mawere confirmed the statement but could not shed more light on what motivated the university to make the decision to suspend lessons.
Escalating COVID-19 cases in Midlands’ major cities and towns has for the past week increased to worrisome levels after cases were reported at established institutions like Fletcher, Lundi park, Zimalloys, CBZ bank, Midlands Christian School, MSU main campus, Thornhill high school, among others.
On Thursday, the country reported 1042 new cases of Covid 19, with the Vice President Constatino Chiwenga announcing that the Omicron variant was now in the country.
Midlands Christian School (MCS) announced the closure of the upmarket institution after three scholars tested positive.
“This communication serves to inform you that in the last two days we have received confirmation that three of our day scholars tested positive for the COVID19 virus. On Monday 29 November 2021, a Grade 1-day scholar pupil who had not returned to school after the weekend was reported to have been experiencing an unusually high temperature,” said headmistress Mrs. C Flanagan.
In a letter to parents, dated 1 December 2021, she said the school asked all grade 1 pupils to stay at home from Tuesday 30 November 2021.
“In the meantime, we feel it is prudent that as a school we take immediate action to control the situation by asking for all-day scholar pupils, once they have been collected today, to stay at home until further communication,” said Mrs Flanagan.
Grade 7 pupils who are writing exams will continue with their ZIMSEC examinations.
The school has since appealed to parents to take their children for testing and isolate them at home for 14 days On Tuesday, CBZ bank in Gweru temporarily closed after reports that one of its bank tellers tested positive.
