Number of Schools Postponing In-Person Classes Doubles to 70 Compared to Previous Day... 62.9% in the Seoul Metropolitan Area

Highest Since Chuseok Holiday

The photo is not related to the article. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), in-person classes were not held at 70 schools nationwide on the 28th.

The Ministry of Education announced that as of 10 a.m. that day, the number of schools that adjusted their in-person class days had doubled compared to the previous day, resulting in this tally.

The number of schools suspending in-person classes reached 38 on the 26th, the highest since the Chuseok holiday. Although it slightly decreased to 35 the day before, it set a new record again on this day. However, it was fewer than the 76 schools on the last school day before the Chuseok holiday, September 29.

As COVID-19 infections continued mainly in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, the number of schools closing their gates increased. Looking at the schools that failed to hold in-person classes by region on this day, 44 schools in Gyeonggi accounted for 62.9%. The number of schools suspending in-person classes in Gyeonggi increased by 18 from 26 the previous day. Seoul was tallied at 15 schools, an increase of 9 from 6 the day before. Additionally, 10 schools in Gangwon and 1 school in Gwangju also could not have students attend in person.

Since the phased return to school began on May 20 until the previous day, the cumulative number of student COVID-19 cases reached 703, an increase of 7 in one day. The cumulative number of confirmed cases among faculty and staff was 136, an increase of 1.