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In a press conference on Jan. 27, Ministry of Education (MOE) announced a 14-day leave of absence (LOA) for students who returned from China, in efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Ong Ye Kung pays a visit to students on LOA

On Feb. 3, 2020, Education Minister Ong ye Kung visited Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and National University of Singapore (NUS) to better understand the efforts being taken to aid those who are on LOA.

He shared some of the photos in a Facebook post today (Feb. 4).

Ong saw that students at NTU came together to distribute welfare packs filled with snacks, such as chips, biscuits and chocolate, in an effort to lift the spirits of those under LOA.

Ong also said that the staff at NTU worked round the clock, even during Chinese New Year, to provide concierge services to students under LOA or Quarantine Orders (QOs).

Students under LOA at NUS are situated in the same block as all other students

At his visit to NUS's Cinnamon College, Ong observed that students on LOA lived with all their peers in the same block and were not isolated in a separated hall.

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In addition, student Residential Advisors (RAs) helped to deliver meals to the students on LOA every day.

When Ong asked a student RA, Cassandra Yeo, if she was worried about distributing food to students on LOA, she responded:

"What concern? They are all healthy people."

Another student initiative that Ong learnt about was a special 10-day social e-gaming event, organised by NUS’s e-gaming society, to help keep those on LOA occupied and entertained.

Students on LOA can join online teams to play online games, such as League of Legends, DOTA 2, and Overwatch.

Ong mentioned that we should support those on LOA

While Ong said that he didn’t get a chance to visit Singapore Management University (SMU), he heard that fellow students have been helping those on LOA in an effort to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In his Facebook post, he reiterated that the students who visited China in the last 14 days were being socially responsible by taking precaution and socially isolating themselves.

He emphasised that they are part of our community and that we should help and support them, rather than shun them.

Ong ended his post by mentioning that we should rally together and support each other, instead of giving in to our fears.

Here's Ong's full Facebook post:

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Top photos by Ong Ye Kung/FB