The Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on Tuesday (24 March) has issued an advisory on two additional precautionary measures for preschool and primary school students in light of the recent spike in imported cases of COVID-19 in the republic.
Two Additional Precautionary Measures
Students staying in the same household as a person who has returned to Singapore from any country from Wednesday, 25 March 2020, 2359hr, will be placed on 14-day Leave of Absence (LOA).
Students staying in the same household as a person who had returned to Singapore from the UK, US or ASEAN countries on or after 14 March 2020, will be placed on LOA. The student’s LOA will start from the day the person in the household returned to Singapore.
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These measures are in addition to the earlier announced 14-day LOA issued to students and staff of schools, preschools and student care centres if they returned from overseas on or after 14 March. Employers are encouraged to provide flexible work arrangements for their employees to accommodate such exceptional circumstances.
The MOE and MSF said they will continue to monitor the situation closely, and work with schools, preschools, student care centres, parents and the community to ensure that our schools, preschools and student care centres remain safe. We also urge all other students and staff who are staying with persons on LOA or Stay-Home Notice to monitor their health, see a doctor if they are sick and return to school only when fully recovered.
Stricter measures as more new imported cases are reported
In a statement on Tuesday evening, the multi-ministry taskforce announced tighter measures to fight against the further spread of the coronavirus here.
In announcing its strictest measures to date, the multi-ministry taskforce said all centre-based tuition and enrichment classes will be suspended to reduce the intermingling of students from different schools and enhance the safety of students.
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Gatherings outside school and work will also be limited to a maximum of 10 people from Thursday (26 March) at 11.59 pm to 30 April 2020.
The duration of the stricter measures may also be extended if the situation does not improve here, the task force added.