Tens of thousands of students returned to schools in Vietnam on Monday as several localities started to ease the social distancing regulations.
A health worker checks body temperatures of students at the Tran Phu Secondary School in Thai Binh Province on April 20. Photo by Laodong
In the northern province of Thai Binh which has not reported any virus infection cases so far, more than 77,000 high school students and those at the final year of secondary school returned to class on Monday morning.
According to director of the Thai Binh Provincial Department of Education and Training, the students will be divided into groups who study only morning or afternoon shifts to avoid large gatherings.
"Before reopening schools, we had carried out disinfection works at all rooms and study equipment," he said. "We've also informed students to check their body temperature and wear face masks when going to class, and try to avoid crowds."
The southern province of Ca Mau also let over 23,000 students who are in the final year of secondary school and high school levels return to class on Monday morning.
Students at a school in Ca Mau Province sit two metres away from one another. Photo by Tien Phong
Director of the provincial Department of Education and Training, Nguyen Minh Luan, said that they have instructed teachers and students on virus prevention regulations.
"Students will be required to clean their hands and have their body temperature checked before entering classrooms," he said. "Each class will only have 20 students who sit at least two metres away from one another.
Chairman of the northern central province of Thanh Hoa, Nguyen Dinh Xung announced on Sunday that they would let students from secondary to tertiary levels return to schools from April 21 while children at kindergartens and primary schools would stay home until May 1.
Some other localities including Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ngai, Hue, Quang Nam, and Tay Ninh have announced that local students will continue to stay home until May 3.
Speaking at a meeting on Covid-19 epidemic held on April 20, vice chairman of Hanoi People's Committee, Ngo Van Quy said that local schools can reopen around mid May if the situation is curbed.
Vietnam has reported no more Covid-19 cases for four days as of Monday with the total patient number remaining at 268.
The Ministry of Health today announced the full recovery of five more local Covid-19 patients, raising the country’s total of Covid-19 cases discharged from hospital to 207.
