On April 20, seniors of Chongqing’s junior and senior high schools resumed classes. They reunited with teachers and classmates in the familiar campus after a long separation, restoring vitality to the campus.

Third-year students in Chongqing No. 57 Middle School attend class on April 20, 2020. (Photo by Wang Quanchao)

On April 19, Tang Liangzhi, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, Mayor, and head of the epidemic prevention and control workgroup of Chongqing, said that all districts, counties, and departments should carefully prepare for the class resumption in line with the unified plan of the party committee and the government of Chongqing. Specifically, concerted efforts should be made to comprehensively investigate teachers’ and students’ health condition, fully strengthen the support for epidemic prevention materials and facilities, and solidly carry out school condition verification and training exercises. Judging from the multiple inspections by the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, the relevant schools in the city have been well prepared for opening.

Students at Fengmingshan Middle School in Chongqing line up to take body temperature with thermal imaging thermometers at the school gate on April 20, 2020. (Photo by Huang Wei)

Tang said that the class resumption is attached with significance in the current epidemic prevention and control. Therefore, attempts should be made to pay close attention to the regular epidemic prevention and control and improve and implement the measures for preventing imported cases from outside and recurrence from inside based on the circumstances, thus smoothing the opening of school and keeping teachers and students in good health.

Students at Fengmingshan Middle School in Chongqing Municipality have breakfast on April 20, 2020. (Photo by Huang Wei)

Tang underscored that efforts should be made to scientifically and effectively prevent and control the epidemic and open the school in a safe and orderly manner. In this regard, Chongqing is slated to strengthen materials support by purchasing and reserving sufficient quantities of masks, infrared thermometers, disinfectants, and other protective materials of quality and instruct teachers and students to use protective equipment scientifically and reasonably. It is also of necessity to strengthen on-campus and off-campus management, strictly implement closed-off campus management, carry out the whole-process management of students’ dining, accommodation, and other activities after returning to school, and strengthen food and drug safety on and off-campus as well as environmental safety management around campus. Moreover, it is required to educate and guide students to abide by the school’s various standard requirements, strengthen the education on epidemic prevention and health knowledge, and enhance teachers’ and students’ self-protection awareness and ability. It is necessary to enhance community investigation and health management in the regular epidemic prevention and control, and accurately conduct the health investigation of teachers and students returning to Chongqing in key areas. Apart from that, all walks of life should team up in opening school and resuming classes to ensure the safety and health of teachers and students effectively.