New COVID-19 Measures as Schools Reopen This Fall

By Shumin Tan, August 19, 2020

As schools reopen this fall, the Ministry of Education and National Health Commission have drafted and revised COVID-19 control and prevention measures for schools across China.

Officials in each district will facilitate the reopening for the fall semester for universities, primary schools and kindergartens, according to China Daily.

The guidelines specifically state that teachers, students and staff from low-risk areas must present a green health code to enter school. Meanwhile, individuals from medium-to-high risk areas will need to provide negative nucleic acid test results in the week prior to be able to return to school.

Unfortunately, students and teachers who are currently located overseas will not be allowed to return until further notice.

International and local schools have already issued notices for families to monitor and record their children’s temperature prior to starting.

Schools across the country will reopen on a staggered schedule. Likewise, a handful of universities and colleges located in cities are permitted to welcome students in batches.

Upon entering campus, college staff and students should have their body temperature checked and their health code scanned, the guideline stated. But students will not be required to wear masks on campuses.

The guideline further stated that colleges and universities should step up checking, registration and management of food and parcel deliver workers entering campuses. Designated areas for drop-off delivery and collection points have been recommended.

For kindergartens, children will not have to wear masks, but teachers and staff will be required to. Parents will be prohibited from entering kindergartens or nurseries.

Similar rules will be applied to primary and middle schools. Students will need to carry medical face masks, but those in low-risk areas will not have to wear them, as cited by Beijing Evening News. No entry will be allowed for parents or visitors to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Schools are required to improve the disinfection, ventilation and cleanliness of cafeterias, and stagger meal hours to prevent crowding. Students are reminded to wash their hands and maintain safe distance from each other.

[Cover image via @株洲发布/Weibo]