"COVID-19, the Next 2 Weeks Are Critical" ... Nationwide Kindergarten and School Reopening Delayed Again (Update)

On the 3rd of last month, when concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus infection were increasing, students at Bongeun Elementary School in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, were going to school wearing masks. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The government has decided to postpone the start of the new semester for all kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide by an additional two weeks to the 23rd. The next two weeks are seen as a critical period to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and attendance will be suspended until the situation stabilizes.

On the 2nd, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye held an emergency briefing to announce the additional postponement of the new semester for kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools, along with follow-up support measures.

The Ministry of Education first decided to postpone the new semester start date for all kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide from the original March 9th to March 23rd, extending the delay by two weeks.

Since the first postponement on the 23rd of last month, the Ministry of Education has been closely consulting with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and related experts, reaching a consensus that a closure of at least three weeks from early March is inevitable.

In particular, given the continuous increase in confirmed cases recently, it was judged important to minimize students' external contact and movement to prevent infection among students and proactively block transmission within families and local communities.

Accordingly, each school will implement a three-week closure in March, then adjust summer and winter vacations first to secure the required number of school days. If additional closures occur, the legally mandated school days will be reduced within a 10% range (18 days for kindergartens, 19 days for elementary, middle, and high schools).

However, for kindergartners and elementary students requiring emergency care, an additional demand survey will be conducted, and care will be provided from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in principle, with dedicated personnel and staff assigned.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "Even in the situation of postponing the start of the new semester for kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide due to COVID-19, we will take responsibility for the safety and education of each and every student," and urged, "Please share the burden and participate in crisis management, from adhering to small hygiene rules to cooperation among related agencies."

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