HCMC – The HCMC Department of Education and Training has sent a draft plan to the municipal government for reopening schools in low- and moderate-risk areas.
Schools in areas at low or moderate risk of coronavirus transmission could reopen in-person classes, but should refrain from organizing extracurricular activities, according to the draft plan.
Private schools can offer boarding or day-boarding and shuttle transport services if they meet anti-virus requirements, the local media reported.
When schools are allowed to reopen, they would have to ensure social distancing and get prepared in terms of technology and equipment to instantly shift to online classes if Covid reemerges.
In these areas, universities can reopen while instructors and students must be fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, in high-risk areas, schools should arrange in-person and virtual classes. Extracurricular activities should be avoided.
Depending on the Covid situation, local authorities would decide which grades can restart schooling. The first, second, sixth, ninth and 12th graders should be prioritized to attend in-person classes.
Universities can organize in-person classes, but must ensure social distancing and offer different learning shifts to avoid big gatherings.
As for areas at extremely high risk, the department proposed continuing online classes.
The draft plan was built after the HCMC government announced the Covid-19 transmission risk levels for the city and 21 districts and Thu Duc City in line with the Government’s Resolution 128 and the Ministry of Health’s Decision 4800.
Specifically, Thu Duc City and eight districts — Go Vap, Tan Binh, 1, 7, 8, 10, Can Gio and Cu Chi — were at low risk of Covid-19 community spread.
Twelve other districts were at moderate risk, while Binh Tan was the only district at high risk of coronavirus transmission.
