Capital's online spring term announced

Beijing education authorities on Monday released a statement saying the city's middle and primary schools will begin online lessons for the spring semester on April 13.

Normally, the spring semester in the capital begins in late February.

Students will receive new textbooks before that date and for those who are not in the city, teachers will guide them on how to download e-books.

Course resources provided by Beijing educational departments will be available on the city's television channels, as well as online platforms.

Education authorities require each online lesson to last no longer than 25 minutes for primary school students and 35 minutes for middle school students.

Primary schools should not assign homework to students in grades one and two, the statement said.

The education authorities also emphasized that all schools should pay attention to ensuring all students get sufficient physical exercise and rest.

"Residents should also continue to put epidemic prevention and control as the top priority as the capital is facing new challenges from imported cases," Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, said at a news briefing on Monday.

Pang reminded residents to practice healthy habits, including keeping a safe distance of at least 1 meter from others, maintaining good hygiene and using one's own chopsticks and spoons during meals.

Pang also advised people to avoid nonessential travel.