Hanoi school reopens to 9th graders

At around 7 a.m., 9th graders of Tay Dang Middle School reach the gates. Teachers instruct them to keep a safe distance.

For now, Hanoi's Ba Vi District is the only locality to restart in-person classes, though only for certain grades at certain schools.

There are six 9th-grade classes at Tay Dang Middle School, each with 45 students. Three classes would study in the morning and the rest in the afternoon.

All students have their body temperatures checked before entering class.

Teachers, school staff and other guests must also have their body temperatures checked and health status declared via QR codes.

Students get to meet their peers after six months.

Thao Linh smiles behind a mask.

"I’m glad to see my teachers and friends again. To be able to study in-person like this is fortunate for those nearing graduation like me," she said.

A flag salutation ceremony is performed indoors to separate different classrooms from each other.

Students wear masks during class.

Tay Dang Middle School operates a quarantine zone on-site.

"If a student coughs or has a fever, or is associated with existing outbreaks, teachers and health workers would inform local Covid-19 prevention committees," said Mac Thi Hien, a school medic.