The Ministry of Health (MoH) is still in talks with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for childcare centres or schools throughout the country.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the move was important to safeguard the safety and health of children placed under the care of the premises.

"I understand some nurseries need to be opened because both their parents are working. So, there is no place for the children to be cared for. Therefore, the nurseries have to be opened.

"For the safety of the children, the MoH will discuss with the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) on the SOP involving children in the nursery. It is still under discussion," he said at a press conference here on Saturday.

The MoH previously had expressed concern that there would be a high incidence of COVID-19 infection if nurseries were to be opened normally.