MoH, not state govt, has power to order schools shut over Covid-19: Zairil

GEORGE TOWN – The Health Ministry, not state government, is authorised to order school closures following the detection of Covid-19 cases.

Tg Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari said Village Community Management Councils (MPKKs) are only allowed to check for standard operating procedure compliance at social venues and other such public places.

Concerns are heightened after 15 coronavirus infections were reported stemming from a playschool in Tg Bungah. Four of these cases were reported yesterday.

The ministry said the cases involve students and teachers.

“Schools make up a lot of Covid-19 clusters, and schools themselves must ensure they comply with the SOPs, even in each class,” said Zairil.

If the SOPs, in any way, are lacking in the classroom, that is where the infection will start to spread.”

Penang local government exco Jagdeep Singh Deo said most of the clusters logged involve schools and social venues.

However, city councils and police can only take action for lack of compliance at social venues.

“The virus is now affecting children in schools, and that didn’t use to happen. The Health Ministry has to look into this, and get data from all schools, including schools with cases, to see whether a school has to be closed – that is their responsibility,” said Jagdeep.

He said local councils and MPKKs can only look into how the family are doing once a case is brought to light.

“Where schools are concerned, we cannot close them down. The enforcement has to come from the Health Ministry.”

Since the start of the first movement control order last year, the Penang Island City Council has shut 38 premises due to non-compliance with the SOPs, and another 1,619 were closed by the Seberang Prai City Council, making for a total of 1,657. – The Vibes, May 15, 2021