Beijing schools to advance winter vacation to lower COVID-19 risk

Primary and middle schools in Beijing will advance the upcoming winter vacation to lower coronavirus transmission risks at schools, according to the Beijing Municipal Education Commission.

Primary schools will start winter vacation on Jan 16, two weeks earlier than a previous plan, Li Yi, spokesman for the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, said Tuesday afternoon during a press release held by the Information Office of Beijing Municipality.

Middle school students in first and second grades will start vacation on Jan 23, one week earlier, Li said.

Senior students at middle schools and all high school students will stick to their schedule and start winter vacation on Jan 30.

Primary and middle schools will be under closed management before the vacation. During winter vacation, neither online classes nor activities for making up missed lessons in any form are allowed, Li said.

Beijing reported seven locally confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, all of whom live in the capital's Shunyi district and are close contacts of previously reported cases, according to the Beijing Municipal Health Commission.