Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, etc.: Attendance Recognized for 1-2 Days Post-Vaccination with Proof
Gradual Expansion of In-Person Activities After 70% Nationwide Vaccination
On the 19th, a vaccination sticker was attached to the back of a citizen's hand who received the COVID-19 vaccine at the vaccination center in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mo Honam munonam@
With the start of the second semester and the vaccination of university students, universities are increasingly introducing a ‘vaccine leave system’.
The Ministry of Education recommended the introduction of the vaccine leave system as vaccinations for those aged 18 to 49 begin on the 26th. This allows students to be excused from attendance for 1 to 2 days after vaccination to prevent any disadvantages.
As of the 20th, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, Dongguk University, Ewha Womans University, Hanyang University, Kookmin University, Kyung Hee University, and Jeonbuk National University have decided to implement the vaccine leave system.
At schools implementing the vaccine leave system, students who submit proof of vaccination on the day of vaccination and the following day will be recognized as present. If adverse reactions such as pain, fever, muscle pain, chills, abdominal pain, or joint pain persist beyond two days after vaccination, students can submit a doctor’s note to be excused from attendance. Seoul National University recognizes attendance on the day of vaccination and up to two days after, while most other universities recognize attendance until the day after vaccination.
The Ministry of Education explained, "The decision to introduce the vaccine leave system and its implementation method can be autonomously determined and applied by each university according to their academic operation plans and individual circumstances." It added, "The maximum period for attendance recognition due to adverse reactions is also autonomously decided by each university based on their circumstances and the student’s symptoms."
On the 19th, citizens are undergoing preliminary examination to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the vaccination center in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@
Universities will open the second semester starting from the 30th, but due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, face-to-face classes will be partially conducted. The Ministry of Education has guided that face-to-face activities are possible mainly for experimental, practical, and small-sized classes. Face-to-face activities will be gradually expanded once over 70% of the entire population has received the first dose of the vaccine.
In stages 3 and 4, seats should be spaced two seats apart, and if there are partitions, students should sit one seat apart. During stages 2 to 4, in lecture halls, gyms, dance studios, and other classrooms, social distancing of one person per 6 square meters must be maintained.
Seoul National University plans to conduct mostly online classes throughout September but will operate according to social distancing levels starting in October. At level 4, limited face-to-face classes will be allowed, and at level 3, classes with fewer than 50 students can be held face-to-face. Yonsei University, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Ewha Womans University will conduct fully online classes at level 4. Dongguk University announced that if level 4 continues until mid-October, online classes will be the default. Only if the level is eased to 3 will face-to-face classes be allowed for theory or experimental/practical lectures with 30 or fewer students.
As the fourth wave of the pandemic remains uncontrolled, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among university students continues to rise steadily. In the recent week (August 12?18), there were 487 new confirmed cases among university students, an increase of 35 compared to the previous week. Since March, the cumulative number of confirmed cases among university students is 5,610.
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