The SOPs issued last April by the education ministry include encouraging the use of face masks among teachers and students, requiring school staff to self-test if they have symptoms, and on maintaining personal hygiene, Bernama reported.

“We know that the Covid-19 situation may change from time to time and so the ministry will always discuss our methods or SOPs with the health ministry to help prevent the spread of Covid-19,” he was quoted as saying at the “Semarak Taiping” programme in Taiping last night.

Wong, who is also Taiping MP, said this when asked what steps the government would take in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak in schools, following the massive spike in cases in recent weeks.

On Dec 29, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said in a statement that the situation remained under control, with most cases reported involving mild symptoms and not requiring hospital treatment. He added that no new variant of Covid-19 had been detected in the country.

Asked if the education ministry would temporarily close affected schools, Wong said the ministry would handle each case carefully, and seek advice from the health ministry for further action if the situation becomes serious.

He added that SOP-related matters would only be finalised after discussions have taken place with the health ministry, while the situation will be monitored closely as schools reopen this week.