Thailand, Myanmar to reopen schools in July

Thailand's Ministry of Education said on May 21 that it is coordinating with the Ministry of Public Health to pave way for the re-opening of schools nationwide on July 1 and to ensure the safety of students amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

People wearing masks at a commercial central in Bangkok, Thailand.

Students are at a greater risk of infection in schools than shoppers in malls, because they spend five to six hours together during the school day, a local health official said. 

It will be challenging for teachers to ensure that students observe the health advisories, such as wearing face masks all the time at school, regularly washing their hands and keeping physical distancing.

Up to 3.8 percent of Thailand's COVID-19 infections are among those aged between 10 and 19, most of whom contracted the virus from other family members.

The Ministry of Education had already distributed handbooks to all academic institutions about social distancing and putting personal hygiene as priority.

Meanwhile, the Myanmar government has been planning to reopen basic education schools in mid-July.

Myanmar's academic year starts in June after three-month summer holidays from March to June, but this year's term will start a month later.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Sports, the Ministry of Education has been carrying out preventive measures against COVID-19 at basic education schools and parents are asked to help their children cope with epidemic preventive measures at home.

At present, there are over 48,000 basic education schools across the country and some are being used as quarantine facilities./.

VNA