Covid-19 rapid antigen tests should be administered to at least five-to-10 per cent of staff at all public and private institutions, said a new government guideline released amid the pandemic.

Special attention should be paid to ensure that the areas where workers who are tested live represent the widest coverage possible, it noted.

It explained that such tests are necessary to track the disease and ensure the smooth functioning of institutions.

“All staff members present at the workplace should undergo rapid testing at least once every one or two weeks. Each institution has to raise awareness widely about this to their staff,” it said.

It recommended that antigen tests be administered more frequently to staff members who have contact with people from outside their institution.

State institutions have to purchase the rapid test kits at their own expense. Each state institution, nonetheless, can still seek support from the inter-ministerial commission for combating Covid-19 and from Prime Minister Hun Sen depending on their actual situation and needs, especially in case of an outbreak.

Private institutions are also fully responsible for the procurement, except for serious cases that warrant government intervention.