Govt to consider closing schools nationwide if necessary - PM
COVID-19 | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said he acknowledged parents' concerns about their children in schools amid spiralling Covid-19 cases and is prepared to discuss the possibility of suspending classes nationwide if necessary.
However, Muhyiddin said, for now, the decision is to only close schools located within the districts that are Covid-19 red zones, meaning areas with at least 40 active Covid-19 cases...
COVID-19 | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said he acknowledged parents' concerns about their children in schools amid spiralling Covid-19 cases and is prepared to discuss the possibility of suspending classes nationwide if necessary.
However, Muhyiddin said, for now, the decision is to only close schools located within the districts that are Covid-19 red zones, meaning areas with at least 40 active Covid-19 cases.
"I know many parents are worried about their children attending school. For now, the government decided to shut schools in red zones.
"The Education Ministry constantly monitors the Covid-19 situation in schools across the country," he said in a live address from home where he is under quarantine.
Muhyiddin had chaired the special committee meeting on Covid-19 on Oct 3 which was attended by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri who later tested positive for Covid-19.
Muhyiddin said the Education Ministry is working closely with the Health Ministry to address any Covid-19 case in schools.
"If necessary, the decision on closing schools nationwide will be made at the special National Security Council (NSC) committee on managing Covid-19 after receiving advice from the Health Ministry," he said.
To date, at least seven primary and secondary schools have been affected by Covid-19 cases.
They are SMK Pandamaran Jaya and SK Taman Tasik Ampang in Selangor, SK Permatang Janggus in Penang, SK Putrajaya Presint 8(1) in Putrajaya, SK Padang Kemunting, SMK Kompleks Seberang Takir and SK Kompleks Seberang Takir in Terengganu as well as Kolej Tunku Kurshiah, a boarding school in Negeri Sembilan.
There is also a developing incident today at a school in Taiping, Perak.
Muhyiddin promised that the government is prepared to consider tougher measures, including the possibility of restricting interstate travel.
"If it’s necessary to restrict interstate travel, the special NSC committee on managing Covid-19 will discuss the matter and decide on it," he said.
However, Muhyiddin ruled out a total lockdown like how the country did in March during the second wave of Covid-19 cases, warning that another such measure could lead to economic collapse.
He said, for now, the government will implement a targeted lockdown strategy based on worst-hit areas.
He also expressed optimism, stating that the country was better prepared now compared to the beginning of the pandemic and believed the country can once again flatten the curve for this third wave of Covid-19 cases like it did previously.
The first wave of Covid-19 cases happened in January which mostly involved imported cases and were quickly contained.
The second wave started in March after a large religious gathering in Sri Petaling with participants from across the country saw the virus spreading nationwide when they returned to their hometowns.
The latest wave was traced to Sabah in the initial stages, coinciding with the state election last month, but are now sprouting their own clusters across the country.
'Sufficient lead time will be given'
Muhyiddin promised that he will give sufficient lead time if any measure is implemented.
He gave the example of the decision announced by Defence Minister Ismail Sabri today to lock down the borders of Sabah except for essential travel which was supposed to take effect tomorrow.
"After discussing with Ismail, I decided to give more time before it is implemented.
“This decision is to avoid people from being stranded due to a lack of time to make changes to their travel plans.
“The new date for the restriction to come into effect will begin on Oct 12 at 12.01am until Oct 25," he said.
He said the government is also mulling to reimpose more stringent rules for gatherings such as weddings and conferences.
"However, the government will get input from the Health Ministry, including on additional standard operating procedure, before implementation," he said.
He urged Malaysians to join hands in fighting the latest wave of Covid-19 cases.
"We managed to flatten the curve before. I am confident that together, we can do it again," he said.
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