PUTRAJAYA – It is compulsory to wear face masks in indoor areas at school premises, except in certain situations, from May 1, said Senior Education Minister Datuk Radzi Jidin.
Exceptions to wearing face masks include when alone, teaching in a classroom, individuals with special needs, individuals with respiratory problems, during sports and recreational activities, and for children aged 5 and below, he said.
“The use of face masks is encouraged when outdoors and in open areas in school premises or when carrying out group activities,” he said at a media conference on school operations here today.
This follows an announcement on the relaxation of Covid-19 control and preventive measures in the country by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday. The wearing of face masks when outdoors will now be optional, and the public no longer needs to use the MySejahtera app to scan for check-ins.
Radzi said physical distancing measures will also be abolished.
“The one-metre physical distancing rule has created several constraints for the schools. However, physical distancing is encouraged in situations where face masks are not worn,” he said.
Radzi said it is also not compulsory to scan MySejahtera QR codes when entering educational institution premises.
He also said that it was compulsory for students, teachers, administrative officers, and implementation team members to be present in schools, adding that they must conduct Covid-19 self-tests if they are symptomatic.
Radzi said students who are symptomatic and positive for Covid-19 must first be placed in an isolation room.
“The affected student must undergo a self-test and, if the result is negative, can continue to attend classes with a face mask on. However, if the student tests positive, the teacher must contact the parents for follow-up action,” he said.
Radzi said it is also compulsory for students to wear school uniforms from June 12, besides complying with the guideline on haircuts.
The Education Ministry had previously relaxed the rules and allowed students to not wear school uniforms, only requiring them to dress neatly.
He also said that students and staff of educational institutions are allowed to eat in school canteens or cafeterias.
“Schools with canteens that have limited space are allowed to have staggered recess breaks,” he said.
Radzi said all sports and co-curricular activities, including the hosting of competitions and tournaments within and outside schools, are allowed, but those who are symptomatic are not allowed to join the activities.
On standard operating procedures for surau and mosques, he said, prayers can be carried out without physical distancing in accordance with the stipulations of the state’s religious authorities.
“Outsiders are allowed to perform Friday prayers in educational institutions and hostel students are allowed to perform Friday prayers outside the educational institutions,” he said.
Outside parties, including dignitaries, are allowed to be on the premises of educational institutions subject to the circular that was in force previously.
Members of the community, parent-teacher associations, school governor boards, as well as parents are permitted to enter educational institutions to attend meetings or programmes jointly planned with the schools, he said. – Bernama, April 28, 2022
