Government has directed that anyone reporting for duty with body temperatures which show readings above 38 degrees Celsius during screening are considered abnormal and will necessitate testing for Coronavirus.

Cabinet agreed that companies opening under level two of the national lockdown must, among other things, ensure temperature screening for all employees on entry to workplaces.

Workers with temperatures above the range set by the Ministry of Health and Child Care would be required to undergo mandatory testing for Covid-19 at a ministry facility.

Health and Child Care Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva said temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius were considered above normal and necessitated testing for the virus.

“What we are saying is that one’s temperature should be normal, if it is above normal, which is any reading from 38 degrees Celsius and above, that person would need to be further investigated for Covid-19,” said Dr Mahomva.

According to health experts, normal body temperature (normothermia, euthermia) is the typical temperature range found in humans which is typically stated as between 36,5 and 37,5°C.

However, human body temperatures vary depending on sex, age, time of day, exertion level, health status (such as illness and menstruation), state of consciousness and emotions.