Chinese schools and universities finally ready to resume classes after end of country’s zero-Covid policy

Children and college students around the country are starting to return to campus following the Lunar New Year holiday and the end of zero-Covid

In some parts of the country, in-person teaching has been suspended since November following a surge of cases

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Many schools suspended face-to-face teaching in November. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:00am, 7 Feb 2023

Schools around China are starting their new semesters following the abrupt pivot away from zero-Covid late last year.

New rules will be in place to monitor children’s health when classes resume for the first time since pupils were sent home and told to take lessons online in November amid a surge in cases.

Most schools will return next week, although some started classes on Monday.

Kindergartens, primary and middle schools were among the first to reopen after the Lunar New Year holiday, while most university students are still enjoying their longest winter break in three years.

“Schools without pandemic outbreaks should carry out normal offline teaching activities,” the National Health Commission said in guidelines published last month.

“Universities will no longer conduct mass testing … Faculty members and students at kindergartens, primary and middle schools are no longer required to show proof of nucleic acid tests when entering the campus.”