Number of Kindergartens, Elementary, Middle, and High Schools Closed in One Day Increases by 220... Approaching 600 Nationwide

158 Kindergartens Closed in Gwangju Where 16th and 18th COVID-19 Cases Emerged
Education Authorities Issue Closure Orders and Recommendations, Some Areas Decide on Discretionary Closures

On the 6th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education issued a closure order for 42 kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools in Jungnang-gu and Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection had visited. A notice informing of the closure is posted on the gate of Samseon Middle School in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), education offices in Seoul and Gwangju have issued closure orders and recommendations, respectively, resulting in a total of 592 schools nationwide closing. The number increased by 220 in just one day, and with additional measures from education authorities and school-initiated closures, the number is expected to rise further.

According to the Ministry of Education on the 7th, as of the 6th, a total of 592 schools were closed, including 450 kindergartens, 77 elementary schools, 29 middle schools, 33 high schools, and 3 special schools.

In Gwangju, where the 16th and 18th confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus were reported, only one middle school was closed until the 5th, but after the education office recommended closure of all kindergartens, 158 kindergartens closed simultaneously over two days on the 6th and 7th.

In Seoul, closure orders were issued to schools in the Jungnang-gu and Seongbuk-gu areas visited by the 5th confirmed case, resulting in 58 schools closing on that day, 49 more than the previous day. These included 25 kindergartens, 15 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 22 high schools, and 1 special school.

In Gyeonggi Province, 13 kindergartens, 7 elementary schools, and one each of middle and high schools in Guri City, the residence of the 17th confirmed case, were closed that day. Additionally, one elementary school in Busan, attended by the child of a woman who had contact with the 17th confirmed case, also closed, marking the first school closure in the Yeongnam region.

The Ministry of Education stated that as of that day, 7.0% (1,442 schools) of all schools (20,520 schools) were either closed or still on winter break. Schools operating normal curricula accounted for 49.7% (10,203 schools), and 43.3% (8,875 schools) had completed the 2019 academic calendar and no longer had students attending.

As of 3 p.m. the previous day, there were a total of 13 students and staff members under self-quarantine who had returned from Hubei Province, China, within the past 14 days.

Meanwhile, in addition to these schools, some schools decided to close late on the afternoon of the 6th, so the number of closed schools on the 7th is expected to increase further.

The Incheon Office of Education confirmed that the 19th confirmed case had visited an outlet store in Songdo, and on the 6th issued emergency closure orders until the 15th for nine locations: Global Rainbow, Songdo International, and UN Kindergartens; Misong Elementary School; Bakmun, Sinsong, Sinjeong, and Haesong Middle Schools; and Haesong High School. Mia Elementary School in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, also held a discretionary closure for one day on the 7th following ongoing concerns and closure requests from parents.

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