7-Day Leave Of Absence (LOA) For Children Returning From H1N1 Affected Countries
Dear Parents/Guardians
As part of measures to reduce the risk of Influenza A (H1N1) among children when kindergarten reopens on Monday, 29 June 2009, kindergartens will issue Leave of Absence (LOA) to all staff and children returning from affected countries1 on and after 22 June 2009. The LOA will inform affected staff and children that they must not attend kindergarten activities for seven calendar days upon their return to Singapore. This will reduce the risk of H1N1 spread within the kindergarten community and in Singapore.
In addition to LOA for affected children, kindergartens will also implement other precautionary measures. Stations will be set up at kindergarten entrances to screen children and staff. Kindergartens will advise those who have returned from an affected country on or after 22 June 2009, but have somehow missed the earlier notification, that they are on LOA to go home. Children and staff who had not traveled to an affected country but are unwell will also be asked to go home. Kindergartens will conduct daily temperature taking, and closely monitor the children’s well-being and health. There will also be tighter kindergarten security. All visitors will be screened for travel history and temperature taking before they can enter the kindergarten.
The additional measures are part of the precautionary measures that kindergartens have already implemented to prevent the spread of the virus among staff and children. Kindergartens will intensify the cleaning of their premises, remind children of the importance of personal hygiene and monitor children for signs that they may be unwell. Parents are requested to complete the travel declaration form that will be given to you on 29 June 2009 and submit it to the kindergarten on the next day.
We seek your cooperation and understanding in your child’s kindergarten’s efforts to implement these measures. Let us work together to keep our kindergartens open, and safeguard the health of our children. In the event that your child registers a fever during his/her daily temperature check, we seek your understanding to bring him/her home to rest. Please also encourage your child to practise good hygiene at home. With your support, we hope that every child can develop such good habits that will last them through life.
Our children’s safety is of utmost concern to us. MOE is in close consultation with MOH and will activate other appropriate measures should there be a need to. We will continue to keep you updated of new developments.
Please contact your child’s kindergarten if you need any clarification. The Principal and teachers will be happy to assist you.
Footnotes:
- As of 23 Jun, affected countries are Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States of America. Parents are advised to refer to the Ministry of Health website on Mon 29 Jun for updates. ↵