SCHOOLS in states that are in the second phase of the national recovery plan will be allowed to conduct physical lessons for pupils sitting national and international examinations this year, the National Security Council’s latest standard operating procedure (SOP) revealed.

However, the date of commencement will be based on the Education Ministry’s (MOE) schedule.

This applies to students who are sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, Sijil Vokasional Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia, Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia and Diploma Vokasional Malaysia exams.

The SOP applies to those who are fully vaccinated in the phase 2 states, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak and Penang.

As for Sabah, the SOP is listed in the NRP’s phase 2 rules for Sabah.

Although the date of the commencement of physical lessons will be determined by the MOE, the SOP came into effect yesterday.

The Health Ministry recently said that vaccination for two categories of teenagers will be starting in mid-September, according to an internal circular.

The first category involves teenagers aged between 12 and 15 who have certain health conditions.

The second category is for teenagers aged 16 and 17, with and without health conditions, stated the circular dated August 12 and signed by director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

“The order in this circular will be effective September 15, 2021,” he said in the circular sighted by The Malaysian Insight.

Individuals who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccine are considered as being fully immunised against Covid-19 14 days after the second dose.

As for recipients of single dose vaccines such as CanSino and Johnson and Johnson, they will be considered fully immunised 28 days after vaccination.

Under the new SOP, pupils and teachers will be allowed to travel beyond state and district lines to schools and hostels, provided that they have a confirmation letter from MOE, Mara or the relevant agencies.

Guardians are also allowed to travel with the pupil.

“Pupils who are travelling from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan or vice versa will have to comply with rules pertaining to Covid-19 test and quarantine,” it said.

Pupils in international schools and are sitting for exams are also allowed to be physically present for the exam as per the schedule decided by the international examination boards.

However, tertiary education institutes will still have to continue with online lessons as physical lessons are still prohibited.

Exemption is given for international exams and professional bodies as well as research activities, which require the use of labs.

The student is required to provide a letter from the Higher Education Ministry or the institute for movement purposes.

Students who are in hostels are allowed to continue their stay and carry on with hybrid learning.

Daycare centres, nurseries, kindergartens and child development centres for children aged between four and six are only allowed for children whose parents and guardians are frontliners or essential service workers. – August 21, 2021.