KKM Encourages Masks In Schools Again Due To New Covid-19 Variant, SOPs For Students Expected By 2nd May

Recommended usage of masks in schools

It wasn’t too long ago when Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) encouraged vulnerable groups to don their face masks in crowded spaces. This followed reported cases of the Covid-19 subvariant – Arcturus – in our country. 

So while students are currently enjoying their school holidays, KKM recently announced that mask–wearing may make a return to schools due to emerging variant. In a recent update, Health Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa stated that masking up will only be a recommendation rather than a mandate for now, with SOPs for schools to be released on 2nd May 2023. 

Guidelines and SOPs to be released on 2nd May

Image credit: Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Puteri via Facebook 

The mask mandate, which was suspended in September 2022, is being tabled once again as the safety of local students is taken into the highest consideration. The concerns come as many will be returning to school after the long Hari Raya holidays.

Dr. Zaliha Mustafa and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek will be having a meeting to discuss Covid-19 prevention measures in schools, as reported by The Straits Times. As of now, guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for schools and students have yet to be released. But it is expected to be announced before the opening of schools, on 2nd May. 

On 28th April, The Star reported Dr. Zaliha as saying that mask-wearing will not be made compulsory when students return to schools, as there has been a slight downward trend in Covid-19 cases. But students will nevertheless be highly encouraged to wear masks at schools.

Official announcement of the current Covid-19 situation by KKM

Image credit: @kementeriankesihatanmalaysia via Instagram

The recent detection of the Arcturus subvariant has been raising concerns among locals, and this measure calls for attention with the festive season ending soon. 

According to a statement released by KKM, there was an overall 6.4% drop in Covid-19 cases between week 15 and 16 of 2023. However, there has also been 12 reported cases of the highly transmissible Arcturus variant in the states of Selangor, Sarawak, and Kuala Lumpur. As such, wearing masks has been highly encouraged among the public by the Health Ministry, in hopes of encouraging early precautionary measures to help keep the variant from spreading far and wide.

Students’ safety is an utmost priority as they return to schools

With most of us are still enjoying the festive holidays, one simple safety precaution to exercise to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 is to wear face masks in crowded spaces and practise good hygiene. These are simple steps we can keep in mind to help combat the spread of the subvariant Arcturus in schools. 

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Cover image adapted from: Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Puteri  via Facebook.