Schools urged to spread pneumonia control know-how

Amid the ongoing viral pneumonia outbreak, the Ministry of Education has asked schools nationwide to disseminate epidemic control and prevention knowledge through social media platforms and chat groups to students who have left school for winter vacation.

Local education authorities and schools should also check with students who are staying at schools and teach them necessary pneumonia control and prevention knowledge, the ministry said on Wednesday.

All unnecessary gatherings should be canceled, it said.

Local education authorities in places with confirmed cases of the new form of viral pneumonia should make thorough contingency plans for students and teachers returning to schools for the new semester, it said.

Universities should actively participate in conducting research on the epidemic and work with science and technology and health authorities to push for research breakthroughs, the ministry said.

Universities whose teachers and students are working on combating the epidemic at university affiliated hospitals should offer them support and care, it said.

Before the start of the spring semester next month, schools should thoroughly improve their sanitary conditions, especially in classrooms, canteens, gyms, libraries and toilets, it added.