As the new semester approaches, the Ministry of Education said schools that do not meet the necessary requirements for COVID-19 contagion prevention and control are not allowed to open.

Local education authorities should evaluate epidemic containment efforts at each school and those that fail to meet requirements cannot begin the new semester, the ministry said.

Schools in areas classified as having medium or high risks of COVID-19 outbreaks should delay the start of the upcoming autumn semester, and students and teachers who have traveled to the regions should delay returning to schools, it said.

College teachers and students should have negative COVID-19 test results within 48 hours before returning to school.