NOT all frontliners battling the Covid-19 pandemic are lucky enough to find childcare services.

With nurseries shut, the early days of the movement-control order (MCO) were chaos as many health and police personnel scrambled to find day care for their kids.

The situation is particularly hard for those stationed outside Kuala Lumpur, where more childcare services are available, or away from their hometowns, where relatives and trusted friends live.

A police officer stationed in Kelantan said she has no choice but to leave her 1-year-old daughter with her older child, a 12-year-old girl, as her husband is also a cop who works long hours.

“I prepare milk and food before going out for my shift, and leave them with my older child. She has to watch over the baby,” said the officer in her 30s who requested anonymity.

She is among the frontline workers who have not been able to find childcare since the MCO was enforced on March 18. The government directive has been extended by two weeks to April 14.

Others have made arrangements with their work superiors, or are receiving help from relatives or neighbours.

Widow Azlina Mohd, an officer at Bukit Aman, is grateful that her supervisor reassigned her duties and allowed her to bring her children to work during the MCO.

“I was in the operations division, but now, I’ve been taken off the field and given office work during the movement-control period.

“I am also allowed to bring along my three children, aged 8, 10 and 12. They play or study in a rest area for staff.

“Without this flexibility, it would be really difficult for me to work during this period,” said the 38-year-old, adding that when her husband was alive, he took care of their kids given the nature of her job.

X-ray technician Mohd Azmil Roslan, 35, and his wife, a nurse, rely on their parents to look after their three children.

“We are so grateful that my parents and in-laws can care for the children. They haven’t once complained since the MCO was enforced.

“The only thing is, because the number of infections is increasing and the pandemic has become more serious, my wife and I do not dare visit them.

“We have to make do with video calls every day. We miss them, but at least, they are safe and sound,” he said in Penang.

Husband-and-wife pair Adila and Roslan, both police personnel, suddenly had to find childcare for their 5-year-old daughter, whom they usually take turns looking after.

“If I had work in the morning, my husband would take the night shift. But with the MCO, both of us have to work (similar hours),” said the 35-year-old in Kelantan.

A neighbour who knew the couple’s situation then offered to look after the girl.

“I’m glad for my neighbour, but the truth is, some of my co-workers still haven’t found a solution to their childcare problems,” said Adila.

“Some of them no longer have parents to send their kids to, or they have no friends or relatives where they are stationed.”

In the Klang Valley, Projek Wawasan Rakyat (POWR) is expanding its childcare services for Covid-19 frontliners.

The organisation, which runs on government funds and public donations, is increasing its Kiddocare staff to provide babysitting at short notice with a subsidised rate of up to 90% for personnel working around the clock to curb the coronavirus’ spread.

Kiddocare founder Nadira Yusoff said it provides care at clients’ home for between two and 24 hours.

“Because the programme is subsidised by POWR, frontline workers only need to pay RM30 for 24-hour service.

“Since the MCO was implemented, we have provided our services to more than 100 clients.

“They can work with more peace of mind as their children are safe at home.”

Kiddocare is promoting its services on Facebook and Instagram, and listed on mobile apps for babysitting services. – March 27, 2020.