Da Nang, the largest city in the central region, has initiated plans to reopen its schools for 12th graders on November 22, and for 10th and 11th graders on November 29.
Face-to-face learning will only be applicable in areas with risk level one or level two within the four COVID-19 alert system, said the municipal administration, adding that virtual learning will be maintained in other areas.
Students of grade eighth and ninth will duly return to classes once they are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Similarly, the southern province of Dong Nai will also be piloting the reopening of schools from November 22 to December 1, with priority given to first, second, ninth, and 12th graders. It will then conduct a review and decide if the pilot scheme will be expanded depending on the pandemic situation.
Meanwhile, the northern province of Phu Tho has allowed schools in Viet Tri city and Phu Ninh district to welcome back students of various grades, starting from November 15.
Phu Tho requested that schools disinfect classrooms and learning equipment, and arrange learning shifts in both the morning and afternoon in a bid to ensure safety.
Other cities and provinces such as Lam Dong, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, and Nghe An have also endorsed pilot schemes as they strive to resume face-to-face lessons. They asked schools to strictly follow COVID-19 prevention and control measures in order to make their safe reopening a top priority.
Vietnam is currently carrying out a COVID-19 vaccination campaign for children aged between 12 and 17. However, the Ministry of Health has played down concerns that children are easily susceptible to the virus, instead encouraging localities to reopen schools in low-risk areas.
The Ministry notes that provinces should not rely much on vaccinations, reasoning children in other age groups are at a low risk of infection. It has also issued guidance on COVID-19 prevention steps once schools resume activities.
