Elsewhere in China, most kindergartens, primary and middle schools and universities will begin a staggered reopening for the new semester until the end of September. Some universities would open their doors again at the start of October, the ministry said.

Wang Dengfeng, an official in charge of virus prevention at the Ministry of Education, said although the goal was to “resume order in education”, local governments should not relax efforts to contain the pandemic.

“Officials must not slack off on this, and all prevention measures must be strictly implemented,” Wang said at a press briefing on Friday. “Meantime, we should also avoid overreacting on virus prevention.”

He said China had achieved a “decisive victory” against the virus by stopping large-scale transmission and successfully restarting the economy.

Wang noted that some 200 million students had gone back to school in May and June to finish the spring semester as the coronavirus situation improved, and no infections were reported at those campuses.

But he said efforts were still needed to prevent both imported and locally transmitted infections.

China on Monday had not reported any locally transmitted infections for 15 days.

02:07

Global coronavirus cases surpass 25 million as India deals with world’s fastest-growing outbreak

Global coronavirus cases surpass 25 million as India deals with world’s fastest-growing outbreak

Schools will continue with virus prevention measures introduced in May and June, including checking temperatures at campus entrances, requiring students to wash their hands frequently, opening classroom windows for ventilation, and requiring students to wear masks.

Online teaching platforms are also ready to go at many schools in case there is a resurgence of the virus. Students in Shanghai, for example, were told to test the platforms last week to make sure they could access them.

Wang also said universities were in touch with students about their health and where they had been ahead of the new academic year.

For many students it will be a relief to get back to campus. Sophia Yu, who is about to start her third year at the Beijing Film Academy majoring in directing, said she could not wait to get back to class after being stuck at home in Shanghai for most of the year.

“I want to return to my campus as soon as possible,” she said, adding that her classes would not start until October 8.

Yu said she spent the entire spring semester trying to learn online, but it was difficult because her major involves a lot of practical learning. “The lecturer even told us that he didn’t have anything more to teach us in the online classroom,” she said.

Hong Kong schools ‘could resume classes in phases by September’

The move to reopen most schools is a clear sign that China believes the pandemic is under control, according to Xi Chen, an assistant professor at the Yale School of Public Health.

“It also suggests the Chinese health authorities are confident they have effective measures in place for a possible resurgence of cases in autumn and winter, especially during the coming flu season,” he said, adding that testing and tracing would need to continue.

Xiong Bingqi, deputy director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute in Shanghai, said it was a positive move for students and it would ease the pressure on parents.

“Having to look after children who are studying at home is a headache for working parents,” he said.

But the challenge for schools now would be to keep up virus prevention measures, Xiong added.

“Schools should be raising awareness on hygiene and include this in the students’ learning,” he said.

Chen noted that “cautious steps” were needed.

“While both the infection and fatality rates so far are low for children, they are as likely to carry the coronavirus as adults are,” Chen said. “And since schools rely on student-adult interactions, if the pandemic is not essentially under control then reopening schools could result in a new wave of community transmission.”