FORM Five and Six students returning to class on June 24 will not be required to use masks as the number of Covid-19 infections is dropping, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The health director-general said the downward trend of daily cases indicates that the risk of infection from other Malaysians is acceptably low. 

Most of the new infections now involve foreigners.

“We have to, however, make sure that schools comply with social distancing rules. Students come together during recess time. This is why we do not allow them to eat in canteens.”

Dr Noor Hisham said students are encouraged to bring food from home or buy their meals at the canteen and eat in class. 

“If they can comply with social distancing rules, they can reduce the risk of infection by 65% to 70%.”

He said said the ministry will observe how secondary school students cope with the rules and will adjust them if necessary. 

Form Five and Six students will be the first to return to school since they were closed on March 18, when the movement control order (MCO) was imposed.

On the need to reopen classes, Noor Hisham said this was in line with the government’s policy of reopening most functions of society. 

“We have to strike a balance between life and liveihood, and the education sector is important.”

Education Minister Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin announced on Wednesday that students taking the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, Sijil Vokasional Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia and equivalent international examinations will resume classes on June 24.

More than half a mllion students will return to 2,440 schools, he said. 

Temperature checks will be performed daily at the school entrance for the pupils, teachers and staff.

Radzi said tables would be arranged a metre apart and each classroom would be limited to 20 pupils.

Earlier in April, Radzi announced the cancellation of the examinations Ujian Pendidikan Sekolah Rendah and Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga this year. – June 12, 2020.