Application of Previous Ban on Visitors to Preschools by Parents and Parents of Newly-enrolled Children

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the previous ban on visitors to preschools, including parents and parents of newly-enrolled children, still applies.

Mr Speaker, in line with changes in our national COVID-19 posture, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has progressively eased visitor restrictions in our preschools. Since November last year, parents can accompany their newly-enrolled children and can do so for half a day for the first two days of preschool. For children with additional needs, preschools may exercise flexibility and allow these parents to accompany their child for a longer period. From 24 November last year, external photographers and videographers were also allowed to enter the preschool for the kindergarten graduation ceremonies.

With the recent easing of community measures, ECDA has further eased visitor restrictions to support children's learning and development. From 26 April 2022, parents may enter the preschool to attend parent-teacher conferences or as volunteers. Prospective parents may also enter the preschool to tour the preschool premises.

However, casual visitors remain restricted to lower transmission risks, as the majority of preschoolers are ineligible for vaccination. Visitors to the preschools will also be subjected to prevailing safe management measures, such as health and temperature checks and keeping their masks on at all times.