Resumption of In-Person University Classes One After Another... Concerns Over COVID-19 Pandemic 'Trigger'

Resumption of University Face-to-Face Lectures One After Another... Concerns Over Spread of Group Infections
Government "Partial In-Person Practical Classes Possible If Basic Rules Are Followed"

Due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, universities postponed the start of the semester and conducted online lectures. On the 30th of last month, Kyung Hee University in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, was quiet.
Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] As the government’s strict social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are eased, universities that had been conducting remote classes are resuming face-to-face lectures one after another. However, among students, there are still concerns that face-to-face classes are premature. This is because many students gather in confined spaces to attend classes, increasing the risk of infection. Consequently, anxiety is growing that schools themselves could become hotspots for cluster infections.

On the 17th, the Korean Council for University College Presidents surveyed the start dates of face-to-face classes at 193 four-year universities nationwide. The most common date for resuming face-to-face classes was the 4th of next month, with 61 universities (31.6%), followed by the 27th of this month with 37 universities (19.2%).

Additionally, 100 universities, accounting for more than half (51.8%) of the total, planned to start face-to-face classes between the end of this month and the 4th of next month.

On the other hand, 50 universities (25.9%) indicated they would continue remote classes until the COVID-19 situation stabilizes. Notably, only 9 universities (4.7%) planned to conduct the entire first semester through remote classes.

Given this situation, concerns about the possibility of infections within campuses are being raised among students. It is pointed out that not only students but also school staff and families could be involved in large-scale cluster infections.

A university student in their 20s, identified as A, stated through an online university community, "I think face-to-face classes are premature. Sometimes, 100 students attend classes in a small lecture room at once. People are getting infected due to momentary lapses, so starting face-to-face classes already seems too soon."

They added, "If someone gets infected at school, it doesn’t end there. Friends, family, and others around them can also get infected. The COVID-19 situation is ongoing, so I hope the government and schools consider all possibilities carefully."

Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, universities have postponed the start of the semester and are conducting classes online. On the 17th of last month, a lecture room at Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, appeared deserted. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

B (26), who is in their senior year at university, said, "I also live in a different region, so if I get infected, there is a high possibility of transmitting it to others." They added, "Remote classes have the drawback of being lower in quality compared to face-to-face classes, but many students still have a negative view of face-to-face classes."

They further pointed out, "Even if physical distancing is maintained during classes, droplets can travel several meters with a single cough, and there is no way to block that. There is also no guarantee that everyone will keep wearing masks continuously."

In response, universities stated that they will conduct on-site classes starting with lectures that require practical skills and hands-on training. For students majoring in arts and physical education, where practical skills are prioritized, face-to-face classes are unavoidable.

Moreover, even when face-to-face classes are held, they plan to proceed with strict quarantine and preventive measures. Universities currently conducting face-to-face classes are using pre-notification systems, small-sized classes, and quarantine checklists.

Meanwhile, the government’s stance is that there is no problem with conducting face-to-face classes as long as basic preventive measures are followed. On the 22nd, Son Youngrae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a regular briefing, "So far, remote classes have been the only appropriate method," but added, "For university practical classes, if basic rules such as 'temperature checks,' 'mask wearing,' 'hand sanitizing,' and '2-meter distancing' are sufficiently observed, partial face-to-face practical classes can be conducted."

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