PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry will decide if it is necessary for schools to be closed following a spike in Covid-19 cases linked to the education sector, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He said the decision would be made by the ministry after discussing it with the Health Ministry and the National Security Council. “These authorities will decide if there is a need to shut down schools.However, I would like to remind state education departments to refer and discuss with the Education Ministry for deciding on the matter concerning schools in their states, ” said Ismail Sabri. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba was reported to have said an increase in movement during the early April school holidays, social gatherings and interstate travels contributed to the rise of Covid-19 clusters and cases in the education sector. As of Wednesday (April 21), there were 53 active clusters out of almost 90 Covid-19 clusters that have cropped up since Jan 1 in the education sector.

Source: The Star April 23, 2021 10:41 UTC