Covid-19 crisis No need to close the schools now
Many people have asked for our schools to be closed temporary to stop the spread of the corona virus. They pointed out to the decision adopted in some countries, such as Japan, South Korea and Italy to close their schools.

The education minister Ong Ye Kung has explained why his ministry had decided to keep the schools open for the time being. 

He said:

a) The schools had taken measures to keep the premises clean and reduce the risk of infection.

b) Asking the children to stay at home can carry its own set of risk of infection

c) Working parents will have to take leave to stay at home and look after the children.

His views are reported here. 

I agree with the minister. I find his approach to be sensible.

The spread of the infection and its severity is lower in Singapore, compared to the other countries. This could be due to our warm weather. There is no need for us to be alarmed at this time.

We can monitor our situation to see the spread and the severity, before we decide on stronger measures.

Tan Kin Lian
 

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