Radzi: Schools to lift outdoor mask mandate, drop MySejahtera check-in

 

Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin today announced that the outdoor masking mandate in schools and educational institutions will be lifted effective from May 1. 

Radzi (above), however, said the masks are still required indoors with the exception of certain circumstances, including teaching in class, during sports and other school activities.

“The relaxation is also granted to children aged five and below, individuals with special needs, as well as individuals (who stay) alone indoors,” he told a special press conference today in Putrajaya. 

“Individuals are encouraged to put on their masks if they are in an area open inside the school premises or outside of a building. They are encouraged to wear masks when performing group activities,” he said. 

Checking in with the MySejahtera application is no longer compulsory when entering educational premises, he said.

This came after Putrajaya announced a slew of standard operating procedure (SOP) relaxations as the country transitions to the endemic phase of Covid-19. 

While noting physical distancing will be lifted in schools and education institutions, he encouraged schools to continue with this practice, especially when masks are not being worn.

‘Only test when symptomatic’

The new SOP announced today also saw the removal of mandatory Covid-19 self-test. 

“Covid-19 self-test will only be implemented when there are symptoms,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Radzi also announced that physical attendance in school is now compulsory after schools, particularly primary schools, were allowed to operate in full force for face-to-face lessons from April 18.

Secondary school students were allowed to attend face-to-face classes on April 1. 

Prior to this, the government allowed schools the option to conduct home-based learning and teaching (PdPR) sessions if Covid-19 cases rose drastically.

All schools in the country were forced to close down and home-based learning was carried out when the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in Malaysia early 2020. 

“The wearing of school uniforms will be compulsory when the second semester begins on June 12,” said Radzi. 

All sports and co-curricular activities including organisation of competitions are allowed, he added.

In another development, he said parents are allowed to visit their children at school hostels beginning next month while outings are also allowed. - Mkini