Students take graduate exams in Xi'an

It was snowing in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, on the morning of Dec 25. Since Dec 23, the ancient city of 13 million has been locked down due to a COVID-19 outbreak that began on Dec 9.

But its 135,000 candidates for the national graduate school entrance examination still had to take their exams on that day, lockdown or no lockdown, and so special procedures were put in place.

The local government took a number of measures to help as many candidates as possible to take the exam. New test centers were set up; special coaches were sent to pick up candidates; and quarantined exam rooms were established.

In a teaching building at the Xi'an International Studies University, 71 candidates from closed areas and 118 from controlled areas took their exams in nine halls, including four that were quarantined for candidates from the closed areas, with 11 backup halls, just in case. Students were not able to leave during the lunch break, but were able to enjoy a free lunch offered by the government.

On the evening of Dec 24, six people were confirmed COVID-19 positive at a community bordering the university. Two of the candidates lived in the community and as a result, had to take their exams separately and on their own in two of the backup classrooms. On Dec 25, Xi'an reported 155 new confirmed locally transmitted cases.