[Report] 'Three-Step Gate in the Classroom' Senior Year High School Students' Return-to-School Operation

Visiting Jungkyung High School in Yongsan, Seoul and Gyeongbok High School in Jongno

Three temperature checks from the school gate, hand sanitizers, and strict social distancing
Maintaining 1m distance inside classrooms and ventilating by opening windows

On the 20th, when in-person classes postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic resumed, third-year students at a high school in Seoul underwent temperature checks as they arrived at school. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Byungdon Yoo] Around 7:30 a.m. on the 20th, in front of Jungkyung High School in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Students, who faced an 80-day delayed start to the semester, were gathering in small groups at the main gate. They sanitized their hands with hand sanitizer at the gate. Following marks pre-made by teachers, they walked spaced 2 meters apart. Next came temperature checks, followed by passing through thermal imaging detectors. Excitement for the first day of the new school year and tension about attending school amid the ongoing COVID-19 situation intersected around the school gate. On this day, among the seven third-year classes at Jungkyung High School, six classes except for the vocational class completed attendance between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., somewhat earlier than usual.

Now inside the classroom. All windows were open. Classes had to proceed this way. Since the weather was chilly and in preparation for the 'open window class' policy, some students wore cardigans over their uniforms or came dressed in spring/fall uniforms. Desks were spaced 1 meter apart in all directions, as during exams, and all students wore masks. Although it was their first meeting with classmates, no one greeted each other warmly or chatted noisily. The silence and tension were even deeper than at the school gate.

On the 20th, when in-person classes postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic resumed, third-year students were attending school at a high school in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

At the same time, the atmosphere at Gyeongbok High School in Jongno-gu was not much different. Two students walking arm in arm in joy had to awkwardly lower their arms at the school gate after being scolded to 'Keep your distance!' Teachers who arrived by car or bicycle also stopped at the gate for temperature checks. Some teachers wore transparent goggles while arriving. Teachers stationed at the gate greeted students with "Hey, good to see you. How have you been?" but immediately followed with "Line up in a single file and keep your distance." If students gathered too closely and missed the temperature check at the gate, their temperatures were rechecked with a thermal camera.

Kim Dongwook, a third-year student at Gyeongbok High School, said, "I’m a bit worried about wearing a mask all day, but I’m mostly excited to see my friends again," adding, "I’ll study carefully while being cautious." Another student expressed concern, saying, "With the college entrance exam and the approaching deadline for school record submissions, I’m worried."

On the 20th, when in-person classes postponed due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resumed, third-year students at a high school in Seoul are listening to their homeroom teacher explaining daily quarantine guidelines. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

After attendance ended at 8 a.m., a 25-minute morning assembly was held. Most of the first assembly focused on COVID-19 prevention measures. Even when moving for elective classes, students strictly maintained a 2-meter distance under teacher supervision, moving in a single file and in one direction only.

Lunchtime, when masks must be removed, posed the highest risk of infection, so each school was taking thorough precautions. Before moving to the cafeteria, students used hand sanitizer and had their temperatures checked. Partitions were installed at each seat in the cafeteria. At Jungkyung High School, students sat diagonally, and when first and second-year students return to school, meal times will be staggered by grade, with seating arrangements changed each time the grade changes.

Kim Seungkyum, principal of Jungkyung High School, said, "The biggest concern after returning to school is that if a student tests positive, we might have to switch back to online classes," adding, "We believe it’s better to be overly cautious than insufficient, so we are implementing thorough prevention measures even if they seem excessive."

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