Changes to leave of absence, approved absence policies for schools
Those who are close contacts of anyone quarantined can return to campus once that person tests negative
From today, students and school staff who are close contacts of anyone quarantined as part of Covid-19 measures can return to campus once that person tests negative.
At present, students and staff are placed on leave of absence (LOA) if they are close contacts of someone who has been quarantined. They must stay at home until the LOA is over.
There is no fixed length of time for the LOA, as it varies from case to case. For example, those placed on LOA because a family member has been served a stay-home notice are required to stay away from campus for the duration of the notice.
Also, those given a health risk warning can return to school once they test negative for Covid-19.
These moves will affect students and staff at primary and secondary schools, as well as junior colleges and the Millennia Institute, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a letter to parents and guardians yesterday.
The letter announced changes to both the LOA and the approved absence policies. Both are used to limit Covid-19 transmission by having people stay away from school campuses if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus.
MOE said the change is in line with Singapore's gradual easing of community safe management measures.
The letter said students and staff will have their LOA removed and can return to school under either of two conditions: first, if the quarantined person tests negative for Covid-19 in an entry swab test at a government facility; or, second, if the close contact who is serving a quarantine order at home tests negative for Covid-19.
Similarly, the rules on approved absence have changed.
MOE said students who have to be tested for Covid-19, or those sent a health risk warning SMS by the Health Ministry, must stay home only until they test negative, instead of waiting out the full duration of their approved absence. This also applies to students whose family members have to be tested for these reasons.
There is no fixed length of time for an approved absence, as it varies from case to case.
FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS
However, there is no change in policy for those placed on approved absence because they have flu-like symptoms, or those with household members who have flu-like symptoms, MOE added.
Those with flu-like symptoms will continue to be on approved absence for five days after their medical certificate expires.
Those with a household member who has flu-like symptoms must stay home until that person tests negative for Covid-19.
The full list of conditions requiring students and staff to be placed on LOA or approved absence can be found at www.moe.gov.sg/faqs-covid-19-infection
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