Gradual Resumption of Lower-Risk Co-Curricular and School Based Activities in Secondary Schools and Pre-University

1. MOE has been progressively resuming school activities over the past two months. Physical lessons in schools have resumed for all levels of students, who have adjusted well to the various safe management measures (SMMs) in place. It is now timely to safely resume other important aspects of school life to support holistic student development.

2. From the week of 27 July 2020, secondary schools, Junior Colleges and Millennia Institute will have the option to resume lower-risk Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) and other school activities, with appropriate SMMs in place. For primary schools, such activities will resume only at a later date, once we are able to assess the progress for the older students.

3. CCAs and school activities will take place with the following SMMs in place, which may require adjustments to game formats and rules.

• Maximum of 20 students per activity and where possible, the composition of participants should be fixed to minimise inter-mingling. For example, badminton CCAs may resume, with a maximum of 20 participants per venue;
• Within the activity, groups of five or fewer students can interact more closely. For example, there can be a group of five students in a computer club working on a software programme, four students playing doubles for table tennis, or a two vs two basketball game;
• Modified game rules will apply, such that students will be at least one-metre apart, even for physical activities; and
• Schools will continue to screen all visitors, including coaches and instructors, for flu-like symptoms such as fever and cough, and ensure that they comply with all SMMs.

4. CCAs and school activities that involve the following will remain suspended:

• High level of body contact, like Taekwondo sparring or Rugby scrum;
• High exposure to aerosol and splatters, like playing of wind instruments or choir;
• Inter-mingling of students between schools; and
• Activities held at external venues.

For a detailed list of activities that remain suspended, please refer to the Annex.

5. CCA experiences and school activities are important elements of our students' holistic development. They provide our students more opportunities and platforms to explore their passion, build friendships, and develop character and resilience. Nevertheless, there are no mandated timelines for CCA resumption. Schools will still have flexibility in deciding when activities will resume, while also ensuring that the workload of teachers and students remain manageable.

6. MOE will continue to monitor the situation closely and review our plans in tandem with the national posture. For example, if community transmission continues to be under control, we can move to games that are five vs five, with modified rules to ensure physical distancing. We will also provide the necessary support to our schools, educators and students, as more aspects of school life gradually resume. We urge all students and staff to continue practising good personal hygiene and social responsibility, and abide by SMMs, whether in or outside school.