Nearly 300 Kemas kindies ordered to close

KEPALA BATAS: A total of 281 preschools and nine nurseries under the Community Development Department (Kemas) in Kedah, Terengganu and Sabah have been ordered to close following spikes in Covid-19 cases.

Its director- general Datuk Mohamad Yasid Bidin said the closure affected 6,699 children and it was issued as a measure to contain the outbreak.

“I have instructed all pre-schools and nurseries in red zones to close as advised by the Health Ministry.

“They will stay closed until we receive directive and advice from health authorities,” he said during a press conference after the Wacana Ilmu Wanita InspirasiKu programme at Dewan Rafflesia in Midtown Kubang Menerong here yesterday.

Mohamad Yasid said during the movement control order period, the operation of all pre-schools and nurseries under Kemas followed the Health Ministry’s standard operating procedure (SOP).

He said they practised a rotation system for the children with only 50% of them attending classes.

For smaller classes, he said only a maximum of 30% of the children was allowed.

Mohamad Yasid said nationwide, there were 11,900 classes with more than 200,000 children in pre-schools and nurseries under Kemas.

Meanwhile in Alor Setar, state education committee chairman Datuk Najmi Ahmad said there was no need for school closure in the Kota Setar district near the Alor Setar Prison.

He said the situation outside of Kota Setar district was not serious and parents should not worry about sending their children to school.

“As long as we follow the SOP, God willing, we will be safe.”

Najmi, who is Kupang assemblyman, said the state Education Department always monitored the situation and advised the public to always observe the SOP.