Da Nang to reopen high schools next week

Ngo Thi Kim Yen, deputy chairwoman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, on Monday said the Committee agreed with a proposal by the municipal Department of Education and Training to reopen schools with Covid-19 prevention measures.

12th graders would have in-person classes starting November 22, and 10th and 11th graders would return a week later. Middle school students would return to schools once 8th and 9th graders have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot at least 14 days prior.

As there are no official guidelines on Covid-19 vaccination for smaller children, Da Nang would propose dates of them returning to schools based on the coronavirus situation, said Yen.

Only areas with either low or medium coronavirus risks may reopen schools. Da Nang now has 54 communes and wards at medium risks. Vietnam identifies an area's Covid-19 risk level based on several factors including vaccination rate and the number of infections per population over a period of time.

Universities and vocational schools are required to propose their plans to resume in-person classes so the city could evaluate them, under the condition that the schools are in areas with low or medium coronavirus risks and those involved have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot.

Da Nang initially planned for students to resume in-person classes on November 15, but has had to push back the dates due to new outbreaks.

The city has recorded over 5,200 Covid-19 cases since the fourth wave hit Vietnam in late April, and 74 have died.