Da Nang’s schools remaining in virtual-only instruction will resume in-person classes from February 14 -21, and more services will be allowed to reopen with proper precautions in place following the approval of municipal People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh.

The resumption of face-to-face instructions for students remaining in distance learning was announced at a meeting of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control held late afternoon on Tuesday, February 8.

Chairman Le Trung Chinh approved the resumption of face-to-face instructions for students remaining in distance learning at Tuesday’s meeting. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Grade 6 students will go back to school from February 14 while preschoolers and primary school pupils will join in-person classes from February 21.

However, the city leader asked the education sector, authorities at local level and relevant units to carefully consider reopening pre-schools after looking into the aspirations of parents of preschoolers.

Primary schools will return from February 21 but will not offer day-boarding for their pupils, and they will only go to campus for half-day, in-person lessons. These schools will implement blended learning approach that can combine the best of both traditional and online instruction to offer engaging learning experiences for students who are attending physical classes and are self-isolating at home in efforts to keep quarantined students learning.

Chairman Chinh also approved the reopening of more services like spa, massage parlors and karaoke bars with proper precautions in place. He also highlighted the need to carefully consider reopening of night clubs and slowly reopen these venues.

Mr Chinh asked the health agency to continue rolling out the city’s COVID-19 vaccination programme in line with the current direction from Viet Nam’s national government. He also urged every one across the city to use “personal responsibility” to maintain safety by following the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health in a bid to adapt to safely 'living with the virus' over the long term.

The heed must be paid on providing effective treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients by combining eastern and western medicine in efforts to reduce mortality rates among patients in intensive care units. Attention must be given to providing monitoring and care for patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms at home in a bid to reduce the pressure on local public healthcare system, as well as protecting vulnerable and higher-risk populations against COVID-19, including older adults, and people with underlying health conditions.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L