Concerns Over the Spread of 'Shinjong Corona' Prompt School Opening Delays? ... Ministry of Education Remains 'Cautious'

Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to Consult Health Authorities After Gathering Opinions from School Sites

On the 28th, as concerns about the spread intensified with the occurrence of the fourth confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection, passengers at the departure hall of Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport, wore masks while preparing to depart. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Amid growing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), education authorities have decided to consider postponing the start of the school term and temporary closures for kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools.

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, stated on the 28th that various measures, including postponing the start of the school term to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, will be "broadly reviewed with all possibilities kept open."

At the morning meeting of department heads held that day, Superintendent Cho said, "As the situation has become serious after the Lunar New Year holiday, postponing the start of the school term depending on the circumstances should be considered," adding, "The level where only students and staff who have visited Wuhan, China need to be managed has already been surpassed, and it is necessary to consider managing all students and staff who have visited China."

However, decisions regarding postponement of the school term and temporary closures for schools at all levels will be made after collecting opinions from the field and conducting legal reviews, and will be carried out in consultation with related ministries such as the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The Ministry of Education is cautious about a blanket postponement of the school term for all schools nationwide. A Ministry of Education official said, "A blanket postponement of the school term requires consultation with health authorities and is not currently being considered."

Currently, the Ministry of Education and 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education have instructed students and staff who have visited Hubei Province, China, since the 13th not to attend school and to self-quarantine for two weeks from the date of entry, even if no symptoms of the novel coronavirus infection appear. Attendance will be recognized for students who enter self-quarantine.

The Ministry of Education has also urged each school to cancel group events such as graduation and closing ceremonies or to hold them on a small scale.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.