PRIORITY is being given to reopening more childcare centres at government hospitals to attend to children of healthcare workers, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Having more childcare centres for the children of frontliners opened will allow medical workers to work in shifts, the director-general of health said.

“Currently, we (the ministry) have 112 childcare centres. We have already applied to open centres at all 146 hospitals. 

“Once we have increased the number of centres for frontliners, then medical personnel can work in two shifts.  

“The centres should also look into operating in shifts,” he said at the daily press briefing on Covid-19 today.

Dr Noor Hisham added that other kindergartens and childcare centres operating should also give priority to the children of frontliners.

He said the Health Ministry will present guidelines and standard operating procedures on childcare centres to the National Security Council (NSC) and relevant agencies tomorrow.

Dr Noor Hisham said when business sectors open many parents would need the services of the centres.  

“What is important is the safety at the kindergartens. 

“The standard operating procedures for children must be followed, such as one teacher per group, and groups are not allowed to mix. 

“We are looking at the SOPs together with the relevant agencies and tomorrow we will present it to the NSC.”

On when the childcare centres will be opened, he said this would be decided at the NSC meeting. – June 1, 2020.