Japan Press Weekly

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2022 February 16 - 22 [POLITICS]

As demanded by JCP, Tokyo gov’t launches regular testing program for teachers and school staff

As measures to deal with the omicron-fueled spread of COVID-19, the Tokyo Metropolitan government recently launched a program to conduct regular testing of teachers and other staff working at public and private schools.

The Japanese Communist Party Tokyo Metropolitan Assemblymembers’ group has demanded the launch of the program as part of measures to prevent the spread of infections among Tokyo citizens.

Under the program, school staff including teachers at kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, and schools for children with disabilities will have an antigen test once a week. In order to achieve this, the Tokyo government distributed about 20,000 sets of test kits to municipalities in Tokyo. The Tokyo government explained that the national government will pay for the test at kindergartens and elementary schools and the metropolitan government will pay for the test at junior high and high schools.

JCP Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member Toya Etsuko pointed out that school staff have increased concerns over the transmission to students from them. She said, “The JCP will work hard in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly to realize a regular test program for students as well.”