All Kindergartens, Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in Daegu Postponed to March 9 for Semester Start (Comprehensive)

No precedent for school reopening delays in the region... Minimizing human contact
Private academies also urged to close completely... Public facilities like libraries closed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads in Daegu, the Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education has postponed the opening of kindergartens and all schools nationwide for the first time.

On the 20th, the Daegu Office of Education announced that it postponed the opening of 341 kindergartens and 459 elementary, middle, high, and special schools, originally scheduled for the 2nd of next month, by one week to March 9. It is unprecedented for all schools in the region to postpone the opening due to reasons such as disease.

The Office of Education made this decision anticipating that it would be difficult to operate a normal educational curriculum for the new semester amid the rapid spread of community infection.

However, even though the school opening is postponed, faculty and staff will report to work as usual to prepare for the opening, and care classrooms in kindergartens and elementary schools will be operated for those who wish to use them to avoid inconvenience for dual-income families.

Additionally, following the decision to close all kindergartens on the 19th, the Office of Education decided to close nine municipal libraries, student cultural centers, student training centers, and suspend student experiences and training at facilities such as the student training center and education museum temporarily.

They recommended full closure of private academies, cultural centers, and sports facilities. In particular, after one academy instructor in Suseong-gu was confirmed as a COVID-19 case, they actively recommended closure of academies in areas where infection is especially concerning due to the confirmed patient's movement, and decided to conduct special hygiene on-site inspections in academy-dense areas.

Superintendent Kang Eun-hee said, "In the current situation where COVID-19 is spreading, we judged that minimizing contact with others for a certain period is important to ensure student safety, and decided this after consultation with the Ministry of Education," and urged, "We ask parents and citizens to join forces and cooperate."