Reopening of schools: Labuan Health Department to conduct stricter monitoring

LABUAN: The Labuan Health Department will conduct stricter monitoring on the compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in conjunction with the reopening of schools to curb the possible spread of COVID-19 infections among students and teachers.

Its director Dr Ismuni Bohari disclosed a discussion had been held with officials from the Education Ministry (MOE) on the matter.

"We will be assisting in the area of a monitoring exercise on the compliance of the SOPs among the teachers and students," he told Bernama today.

Dr Ismuni said vector control measures would also be carried out in all schools that have been closed for a long period due to the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent and minimise exposure to mosquito-borne diseases.

Labuan Disaster Management Committee chairman Rithuan Ismail said all schools would undergo sanitation exercises before the school session resumes on Oct 3.

"Members of the committee will be making periodic visits to the schools to monitor compliance with the SOPs especially on the inflow and outflow of students and teachers on the school premises," he said.

Rithuan also advised schools to prepare their own SOPs, as school premises vary in sizes and structures, and submit them to the health department for assessment and improvement.

Labuan People's Representative Council chairman Mohd Dzulfaizal Ab Manan said MOE officials had clarified the rationale behind the decision to open schools during an engagement programme last Sunday.

'We understand the parents' difficulties, but we hope the home-based learning would continue," he added.

On Aug 15, Senior Minister of Education Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said schools will reopen on Oct 3 in stages under the National Recovery Plan starting with students in their exam years namely Form Five and Form Six.

-- BERNAMA