Malaysia PM self-quarantines, Philippines reopens public schools

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will undergo a 14-day home quarantine, after being in contact with Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri who tested positive for COVID-19, he said in a statement.
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime MinisterMuhyiddin Yassin will undergo a 14-day home quarantine, after being in contactwith Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri who tested positivefor COVID-19, he said in a statement.

The leader met with Zulkifli in a high-level meeting on virusdevelopments. The minister has since tested positive for COVID-19 and is seekingtreatment in a hospital.

Muhyddin said he would undergo self-quarantine at hisresidence for 14 days based on the Ministry of Health's advice. However, thiswill not affect government affairs as he will continue to work from home andhave video calls for meetings, he said.

Over the last 24 hours, Malaysia confirmed a record 432 newinfections, the highest daily spike since restrictions were imposed in March.

The country has seen a steady climb in cases in the pastweek.

Meanwhile, over 22 million students in the Philippines frompublic schools returned to classes on the same day after months of distancelearning to stem the spread of the COVID-19.

The Philippines is the last in Southeast Asia to reopenschools.

The country will not allow COVID-19 to destroy education andchildren’s future, Philippine Education Secretary Leonor Briones told thepress. Her department intended to resume classes on June 1 but the plan waspostponed.

President Rodrigo Duterte congratulated the Department ofEducation for finally opening the school year.

The Philippine health ministry on October 5 reported 2,291new coronavirus infections and 64 more deaths. Total confirmed cases in thecountry have increased to 324,762, while death toll reached 5,840./.
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