Schools across Malaysia have reopened today following three months of lockdown in a bid to contain its coronavirus outbreak.

The first stage of the return to school includes only fifth and sixth graders across 2,440 public and private schools throughout the country.

Students returning to school will be subject to social distancing and other precautionary measures to ensure compliance with the standard operating procedures set by the Ministry of Health.

Malaysia’s deputy Health Minister said schools with COVID-19 cases will be closed down temporarily.

The country has recorded a total of 8,596 cases but numbers have started to decline – less than 100 cases were recorded in the last week.