MORE than 6,600 day-care centres will be allowed to reopen with new standard operating procedures in place, providing relief to working parents, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The senior minister said this is in addition to the 304 centres that have already resumed operations.

The SOPs will be uploaded to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and Welfare Department websites, he said.

The same arrangement is being made for kindergartens, and the guidelines are being prepared.

“Many parents found it difficult to return to work after movement curbs were relaxed,” he told a daily press conference on Covid-19 security matters today.

“Some employers forced parents who had difficulty finding carers for their children to take no-pay leave.

“We are now allowing (the reopening of more nurseries). Earlier, only a few were allowed to open under strict conditions.”

He added that the government will discuss SOPs for houses of worship, barbershops and hair salons, and night markets on Saturday. – June 2, 2020.