After an extended period of online learning and the longest summer vacation in memory, Taiwan’s elementary and middle schools are going back to in-person classes. But they aren’t going into the new school year recklessly: instead they’re putting in place a raft of measures designed to keep COVID out.
It’s official. On September 1, school will be back in session—at least for elementary and middle schools. And classes will be held in person. No more online learning.
Still, COVID-19 remains a concern. Could the start of the school year bring a resurgence in case numbers? After all, the kids aren’t vaccinated.
The schools don’t seem to think so. To make sure, they’re canceling all group sports during gym class in favor of solitary exercises like jumping rope and running. And during lunch, kids will be separated by acrylic barriers, and there will be no talking. Instead, kids will be told to listen to music while they eat.
Finally, teachers who haven’t managed to get fully vaccinated will have to take regular PCR tests. Schools are calling on the government to foot the bill to keep these teachers, many of them new hires, from facing steep testing costs.