"New Coronavirus, No Local Transmission... No Delay in School Opening"

Decision Made at Government Ministers' Meeting

On the afternoon of the 28th, a meeting of related ministers to respond to the novel coronavirus infection is being held at the Government Seoul Office, presided over by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (second from the right).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] As the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) spreads, some parents have requested a delay in the start of the school term for students, but the government has decided to proceed with the opening of elementary, middle, and high schools as scheduled, considering that there is no 'community transmission' at this time.

The government made this decision at the meeting of ministers in charge of responding to the novel coronavirus infection, chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 28th. The situation of strengthening the quarantine system across the government was also taken into account.

According to the Ministry of Education's 'Student Infectious Disease Prevention and Crisis Response Manual,' the principle is not to recommend school closures or suspensions during the spread of infectious diseases. However, if the quarantine authorities recommend closure or if it is judged that normal classes are impossible due to a 'national crisis situation,' the school principal may independently close the school, or the education authorities may order closure or suspension. In such cases, prior consultation with infectious disease experts and the Minister of Health and Welfare is required.

Like the Ministry of Education, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education is also known to take the position of observing the situation for 2 to 3 more days. The education office issued an explanatory document in the afternoon stating, "We will collect opinions from the field regarding the option to recommend a delay in the start of the school term or school closure at all levels of schools and conduct legal reviews," and added, "We will continue to consult with related agencies."

Meanwhile, a petition requesting a delay in the school opening was posted on the education office's citizen petition board the day before, and as of 6 p.m. on the same day, it had received the support of over 4,100 people.