In a guideline published on the ministry’s website (www.moe.gov.my) today, the government said that teachers and lecturers need to show letters from the school or show their employees’ pass to travel to their workplace.

“Security personnel and cleaners also need to clock-in for work in schools or institutes that are closed.

“They are categorised as essential services workers. Wardens of hostels and canteen operators in boarding schools need to get to work if there are students who live on campus,” the ministry said.

However, the rules do not apply to teachers or lecturers working in schools or institutes in areas classified as red zones. For such teachers, it said, they “can work from home and conduct online teaching”.

The ministry added that schools or institutions of higher learning could still conduct international exams during the EMCO or CMCO period.

“The candidates must obtain an approval letter in order to sit for the exams, which are subject to the SOPs issued by the government.”

A total of 2,797 schools in the Klang Valley, Putrajaya and Sabah, were ordered to close during the EMCO and CMCO period.