Its director, Zulkernai Fauzi, said the decision was made at the Kelantan Special Disaster Management Committee meeting on Covid-19 enforcement yesterday.

He said the committee recommended to close all schools and educational institutions in the seven districts placed under the MCO.

“The education ministry, taking into account the current situation, has decided that these schools and institutions be closed for a period of seven days from April 18 to 24.

“All students residing in hostels must stay put,” he said when contacted today.

At the same time, he said that efforts should be taken to ensure that teachers will be able to implement home-based teaching and learning (PdPR), based on the suitability and access during the school closure.

He said all district education officers must continue to monitor schools to ensure that the relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs) are complied with.

On Wednesday, senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said seven districts in Kelantan, namely, Kota Bharu, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Machang, Tumpat and Tanah Merah had been placed under the MCO from April 16 to 29.