ALL childcare centres, kindergartens and pre-schools should be operated under strict compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) required by the Health Ministry, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“Children are the most susceptible group in the Covid-19 pandemic, thus the state government hopes that the childcare centres, kindergartens and pre-schools would ensure their safety when operating.
“In accordance with the SOP, childcare centres need to limit the number of children at one time as a precautionary measure besides abiding by the social distancing rule,’’ said Chow when he visited Taska D’ Komtar at Komtar this afternoon.
Chow also shared that it would be a great relief for working parents if the childcare centres are allowed to operate in full capacity starting from July 1.
“Childcare centres are essential services for working parents and therefore, they should be operated under strict compliance with the SOPs.
“Only when the childcare centres are allowed to operate in full capacity, things would get back to normal for the working parents as they could send their children to the centres.
“However, we still need to wait for further announcement from the relevant ministry pertaining to operating in full capacity,’’ he added.
Apart from that, Chow also welcomed the announcement by the Federal Government to allow kindergartens and pre-schools to open fully on July 1.
He was accompanied by state executive councillor Chong Eng, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and Penang Women Development Corporation chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng.
Meanwhile, Taska D’ Komtar operator V. Philomena, who resumed the centre’s services on June 1, said their centre was allowed a maximum of 15 children per day.
“The parents usually send their children here through appointment. We will arrange in a way that only 15 children are received at a time.
“We’ve a total of 30 children registered here, so we will receive them on rotation basis. This means that there will be a different batch of kids sent here every day.
“We’re following the SOPs given to us as I believe it is important to follow the guidelines given by the Health Ministry,’’ said Philomena, adding that they do frequent disinfecting work at the centre.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Alissala Thian