State education director Abdul Rashid Abdul Samad was quoted by Bernama as saying that the schools would be closed today and tomorrow after Covid-19 cases were detected, with sanitation work to be carried out.

He also hinted that the closures could be extended, with school managements to assess the infection risks before making a decision. He did not give details of the schools affected.

Meanwhile, New Straits Times reported that the 20 schools were both on the island and mainland, including SMK (L) Methodist in George Town and SK Jalan Baharu in Prai.

Other schools that have been told to close include SJK (T) Mak Mandin, SMK St Mark and SMK Kampung Kastam, on the mainland.

Earlier, it was reported in Selangor that 19 schools in Hulu Langat, 18 in Petaling Perdana, 15 in Klang, nine in Gombak, nine in Petaling Utama, five in Hulu Selangor and two each in Kuala Langat and Sepang have been told to close.

There has been a spike in Covid-19 cases and clusters involving schools and education centres recently. The health ministry has said there are 49 active clusters and 2,617 active cases involving the education sector.