IPOH – Six schools in Perak and four in Kedah have been ordered to close for seven days starting tomorrow after positive Covid-19 cases were detected among the teachers and pupils.
In Perak, the schools are Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) King Edward VII, SMK (P) Treacher Methodist, SMK Bukit Jana, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Taman Jana, SK Convent Kota and SK Ulu Mengkuang in the Larut, Matang and Selama (LMS) district.
State Education, Human Capital Development, NGO and Civil Society Committee chairman, Razman Zakaria who did not disclose whether the teachers or pupils had been infected with Covid-19, said the closure order was made in accordance with the directive from the National Security Council.
“This is to contain the pandemic, especially with the schools located near the detention centre which recorded Covid-19 cases.
“However, we advise parents and guardians not to panic and to adhere to the directive issued by the schools,” he told Bernama when today.
As of noon yesterday, 14 positive Covid-19 cases were recorded in the LMS district, comprising 10 in Taiping and four in Selama.
In Kedah, the four schools ordered to close are SMK Baling and SMK Bongor in Baling, and SMK Bukit Payong and SK Bukit Pak Kiau in Pokok Sena.
State deputy education director, Ismail Othman said teachers and pupils of those schools tested positive for Covid-19.
“The closure is to enable screening tests to be conducted on all teachers and pupils who have been in close contact with those infected,” he said in a statement.
Disinfection would also be carried out at the schools to contain the spread of the virus. – Bernama, October 11, 2020
