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On the afternoon of April 20, the MOE convened a videoconference attended by respiratory disease specialists, to gather advice on the reopening of schools. Participants included Zhong Nanshan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and head of the National Health Commission Expert Group for Fighting COVID-19; Li Lanjuan, a CAE academician and professor at Zhejiang University School of Medicine; and Zhang Wenhong, head of the Center for Infectious Disease, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University. The meeting was moderated by Wang Dengfeng, director of the MOE Leading Group Office on COVID-19 Response and attended by heads of provincial education departments and HEIs.
Zhong Nanshan: keep physical distancing
“China’s decision to reopen schools is very significant, given that only a tiny number of major economies around the world are even discussing the possibility, amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Reopening businesses and schools before the pandemic is fully under control carries many risks, which is why many countries are not yet contemplating the idea. Whilst we have achieved initial success in containing the outbreak domestically, we are still exposed to the risk of a second wave due to imported cases. It is therefore essential to strike a balance between resuming face-to-face education and economic recovery, and preventing a second outbreak due to imported cases.
The risk posed by imported cases is inevitable when the rest of the world is still struggling to contain virus. This said, given China’s current stringent prevention and control mechanisms, such cases are not likely to cause a fresh wave in the disease.
Nevertheless, we need to be vigilant once schools have been reopened: gatherings can lead to rapid transmission of the virus, and so physical distancing measures should be maintained, including a requirement for schools to stagger class times and set desks wider apart. For dorms, which are generally shared by five to six students, ventilation is very important.
At this stage, universities with international students in particular must stay alert to imported cases as they reopen. Data to date show that the infection rate is worrying among returning international students. A few sporadic cases might occur, but as long as we maintain a high level of vigilance and learn to adapt, I am confident that no major outbreak will happen on campuses.
A note of caution: any student who feels unwell, has a fever or dry cough or experiences sudden fatigue should seek immediate medical help. Moreover, personal protection awareness should be raised.
To sum up, reopening schools is a challenging but important step to take at this point. We must implement all necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of new cases, and at the same time be fully prepared for new infections that might emerge. We need to nip such cases in the bud as soon as they are detected, instead of closing schools again.
Li Lanjuan: ensure zero infections are brought onto campus
The reopening of schools is yet another significant move that China has taken following the three-month nationwide lockdowns and concerted efforts to combat COVID-19. The solidarity and self-discipline of the people, and the hard work and dedication of our healthcare professionals are among the best examples of model behavior we can offer our students to help them develop into well-rounded, responsible individuals.
I strongly support the decision to get our students back to school, but it needs to be done safely. We have had zero new confirmed or suspected cases domestically for almost a month. A fresh outbreak is unlikely, though a few imported cases are confirmed every day.
This said, schools need to stay vigilant as they reopen. The priority is to make sure zero cases are brought onto campuses. Large-scale epidemiological investigations of students’ movements and self-isolation over the last two months, and temperature checks for anyone entering the school premises, including faculty and staff, must be implemented. Students should refrain from going outside the campus, and if they have to, they should report their movements. Anyone who comes into contact with a newly confirmed case must be put under a two-week quarantine.
Imported cases must be isolated and prevented from entering campuses. As long as the source of infection is thoroughly controlled, new cases can be avoided.
Social distancing, wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, proper ventilation of rooms, and temperature taking should all be part of a routine. Early detection and immediate isolation have proved to be one of our most effective weapons to prevent the spread of the virus. Moreover, making full use of online learning helps cut non-essential travel time and reduce person-to-person contact.
Zhang Wenhong: reduce the risk of transmission in dining halls
As other parts of the world have yet to flatten the curve, imported cases will remain a major threat for China for a long time to come. There may be sporadic COVID-19 cases reemerging if imported cases go undetected. Meanwhile asymptomatic transmission is another major risk we will have to face and address over the next few months.
But the existence of such risks should not prevent us from reopening schools. Schools are where students come together to study and socialize, and offer many benefits that cannot be experienced through virtual learning. We need to create a safe environment for students to communicate with each other. Outdoor activities should be encouraged – students don’t even need to wear a face mask while in the playground.
The biggest risk of transmission is eating together in an enclosed space, namely the dining hall. Schools should put in place physical distancing measures in dining areas to protect students and teachers. In addition, to prevent the occurrence of second-, third- or even fourth-generation cases on campuses, schools need to implement emergency response measures. School clinics should send suspected cases to the nearest hospital for immediate testing, and put them under quarantine if they are confirmed.
Schools need to think long and hard how they can maintain a safe physical distance between students without defeating the purpose of bringing them back to class to socialize and study together.
Should a case be detected on a campus, we should not panic - our society is open and something will happen in an open society. A prompt response following established procedures should be sufficient to nip the threat in the bud.