Subdivision of Social Distancing... School Attendance Adjusted to 5 Levels

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As social distancing is subdivided into 5 levels, the academic operation standards, including the minimum school density criteria, will also be adjusted to 5 levels.

On the 1st, the Ministry of Education announced that as the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) subdivided the existing 3-level social distancing system into 5 levels, the school density criteria for each distancing level will also be changed.

First, at Level 1, the principle remains to keep school density within two-thirds, but it is open to adjustment depending on regional and school conditions. The recommendation to maintain within two-thirds for oversized and overcrowded schools remains the same.

However, if social distancing is raised to Level 1.5, the school density must comply with the within two-thirds standard.

Also, at Level 2, the principle is to keep density within one-third (within two-thirds for high schools), but flexible academic operations allow operation up to two-thirds.

If social distancing is raised to Level 2.5, the school density must comply with the within one-third standard.

As before, at Level 3, all classes will switch to fully remote learning.

The Ministry of Education stated, "Despite the restructuring of social distancing, Level 1 is maintained, so current measures such as school density are applied equally, minimizing the inconvenience of schools having to change academic operations."

Additionally, it explained, "To minimize confusion at school sites, the existing 3-level system is maintained as much as possible while implementing more detailed step-by-step quarantine measures."

Up to the restructured Level 2, it is considered a 'regional outbreak stage,' and social distancing levels may be applied differently by region, considering local infection situations and school characteristics.

Furthermore, multi-use facilities mainly frequented by students, such as academies, are required to comply with quarantine rules such as mask-wearing from Level 1, and from Level 1.5, usage limits will be imposed through distancing.

At Level 3, a ban on gatherings will be enforced.

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