The Da Nang government has postponed the reopening of schools scheduled to re-start from November 1 following a meeting of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control held late on Wednesday, October 27.

The meeting, chaired by municipal People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim and attended by members of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, education and health department officials was held to decide on reopening of schools.

Vice Chairwoman Yen delivers her address at the meeting of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 prevention and control on the afternoon of October 27. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

It decided that while the Hoa Bac Primary School in Hoa Vang Rural District where there is no threat from coronavirus will continue to function , and Le Quy Don Senior High School for the Gifted will keep reopening, all other schools in the city will not restart from November 1 as was planned earlier.

Students who have already transitioned to the hybrid model are not affected and will continue with in-person learning.

The Da Nang Administration has announced to postpone their school reopening plans from November 1 to November 15.

Vice Chairwoman Yen pointed out that the COVID-19 situation remains complicated in many Vietnamese localities as COVID cases among students who have yet to be vaccinated are surging in some localities after they return to hybrid classes.

She remarked that COVID-19 outbreaks at schools may be impossible to avoid altogether and we will find it difficult to control the spread of the virus.

Mrs Yen also raised concerns over threat of COVID-19 to Da Nang as the city is seeing an increasing number of students, teachers and workers returning to Da Nang from other parts of the country.

She said that the risk of COVID-19 resurgence remains high in Da Nang despite the implementation of strict measures to control the spread of the virus.

Mrs Yen stated that November 15 is a more realistic date for reopening. She believes it will provide enough time for students to be vaccinated before returning to in-person learning.

The city plans to give out first COVID-19 shots to students aged 15 to 17 next week.

Vice Chairwoman Yen said that the school reopening date has been postponed as the first priority of government is the safety of students and the community.

She also highlighted the need to tighten controls at entry points and keep a close watch on people entering and returning to Da Nang from other localities, especially COVID-19 affected areas, in an attempt to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 importations or reintroduction from these people.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – translating by H.L