Sarawak nurseries, kindergartens not allowed to resume operations – state minister

Although economic sectors in Sarawak resumed operations today, nurseries and kindergartens will remain closed for the time being.

Sarawak Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Fatimah Abdullah said the government was concerned that there would be parents who have returned to work who would request the operators to accept their children.

“We would like to remind nursery and kindergarten operators (in Sarawak), please do not open your premises just yet,” she told a press conference on post-Covid-19 procedures for early childhood education institutions today.

She stressed that since the movement control order (MCO) was enforced on March 18, all children must stay at home with their parents until the government allows nurseries and kindergartens to resume operations.

Fatimah said for now, operators could take necessary preventive measures such as by sanitising their premises and briefing their staff on procedures such as taking body temperatures and identifying symptoms.

“We will provide health declaration forms to be filled and this must be done before they are allowed to resume operations,” she added.

The ministry has also prepared post-Covid-19 procedures for early childhood education institutions as a guideline for operators, staff and parents to ensure the safety of children.

Fatimah also announced that the state government has agreed that registered nurseries and kindergartens are allowed to use the special annual grant of up to RM5,000 each.

The grant can be used to purchase cleaning and sanitising equipment or for other purposes to adhere to Covid-19 standard operating procedures.

- Bernama