China orders schools to make emergency plans for new coronavirus pneumonia

BEIJING - China's Ministry of Education (MOE) has urged schools across the country to make emergency plans for pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Educational administrations in epidemic areas should make plans for teachers and students to return to school according to the epidemic situation, said a guideline issued by the MOE Tuesday.

It also called for focusing on the epidemic prevention and control of schools in poor areas, rural areas, remote areas and other areas with fewer medical resources.

"Local authorities and schools should not hold mass gatherings unless necessary during the Spring Festival and winter vacation," the guideline said.

It also stressed that all-around improvements of schools' sanitary conditions should be made for the prevention and control of the new coronavirus-related pneumonia and other infectious diseases before the new semester starts.