Adjusting School Density by Region During Emergency Plans... Introducing School Visit Vaccinations, etc. (Comprehensive)

Principle of In-Person Classes, Different Density Standards Applied by Region
Yoo Eun-hye "Emergency School Plans Under Consultation with Education Offices"
Diversifying Vaccination Methods to Improve Vaccine Accessibility for Children and Adolescents
Youth Quarantine Pass Deferred "To Be Discussed Later Considering Vaccination Status"

On the 22nd, when schools nationwide including the Seoul metropolitan area began full in-person attendance, students were attending school at Geumyang Elementary School in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. According to the "Step-by-Step Plan for Restoring Daily Life in the Education Sector" announced by the Ministry of Education on the 29th of last month, from this day, 97% of kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools started full in-person attendance. In overcrowded schools, attendance density is adjusted through staggered attendance or limiting to two-thirds capacity. All first and second graders in elementary school, more than three-quarters of third to sixth graders, and more than two-thirds of middle and high school students are allowed to attend in person.
Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education has decided to prioritize in-person classes when an emergency plan is activated, while adjusting school density by region. To increase vaccination among children and adolescents, various methods such as operating vaccination centers for students and school visit vaccinations will be diversified.

In the "Post-COVID-19 Medical and Quarantine Follow-up Response Plan for Gradual Return to Normal Life," jointly announced by ministries on the 29th, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye stated, "We are consulting with education offices on school emergency plans in preparation for situations where the government-level emergency plan is activated," adding, "Even in emergency situations, schools will not be closed unconditionally; we will develop detailed school emergency plans by fully considering infection situations by region and school."

As unvaccinated adolescent confirmed cases surge and the possibility of transmission increases due to full in-person classes and university-specific exams, the government strongly recommends vaccination for children and adolescents.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "As of the second week of November, the COVID-19 incidence rate among 12th-grade students is 1.4 per 100,000 population, compared to 7.02 for middle school and 4.5 for elementary school students, confirming the preventive effect of vaccination for 12th graders," and added, "We urge our students and parents to actively participate in vaccination."

To increase vaccination rates among children and adolescents, the vaccination reservation and administration methods will also be diversified. Previously, reservations could only be made individually on desired dates.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo explained, "We will operate various vaccination methods such as vaccination centers, designated entrusted institutions, and direct school visits according to regional circumstances," adding, "Based on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's basic plan, regional vaccination plans will be established through consultations among education offices, local governments, and quarantine authorities, becoming more concrete."

She continued, "The Ministry of Education will operate focused vaccination support weeks to ensure smooth vaccination at confirmed health centers and school units by region, and will prepare guidelines such as adjusting academic schedules."

Currently, vaccination rates for the first dose are ▲34.0% for ages 12?15 and ▲70.9% for ages 16?17. Vaccination for ages 12?17 has been extended until January 22 of next year.

Lee Sang-soo, Director of the School Innovation Support Office at the Ministry of Education, said, "Since parents have concerns about possible side effects from vaccination, we plan to promptly provide various information related to vaccines and strengthen communication with parents through sending letters and public briefings in cooperation with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency."

The introduction of a vaccine pass for adolescents is postponed. It will be discussed later while monitoring infection situations and vaccination status among children and adolescents.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo stated, "Regarding the application of quarantine passes to major youth facilities such as karaoke rooms, PC rooms, and academies, which currently attract high interest, we will review this while observing adolescent infection and vaccination situations."

The Ministry of Education and education offices will immediately support requests for quarantine personnel in overcrowded schools in the metropolitan area and expand rapid PCR testing mainly in the metropolitan area. Additionally, joint inspections linked with related ministries and local governments will continue targeting student-use facilities inside and outside schools until the end of the year. In the metropolitan area, where infection trends are high, education support offices will operate 'School Life Quarantine Guidance and Inspection Teams' to strengthen quarantine measures at facilities frequently used by students, focusing on school and academy dense areas.

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