South Korean schools will start to reopen next week as new coronavirus cases drop
- High school seniors preparing for a highly competitive annual college entrance exam, postponed by two weeks to December 3, can attend classes from May 13
- Students and teachers will have to wear a mask except for during mealtimes, wipe their desks and maintain distance as they move around
South Korea on Monday said it will reopen schools in stages starting from May 13, as the daily number of domestic cases of the new coronavirus has fallen close to zero over recent days.
Widespread testing, intensive contact tracing and tracking apps have enabled South Korea to limit the spread of the virus without the extensive lockdowns seen in other countries.
But the beginning of the spring semester has been postponed four times since March during an intensive social distancing campaign, which has obliged schools to hold online classes.
“We’re now preparing for the opening of schools while managing the daily risks of the disease,” Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said told a televised briefing. “If a student turns out to be infected with the virus, health authorities will take the necessary action and the school will switch to online classes.”
High school seniors preparing for a highly competitive annual college entrance exam, which has been postponed by two weeks to December 3, are allowed to attend classes from May 13.