The proposal was sent to the chairman of cities and provinces' people's committee on Thursday.  

According to the ministry, localities need to consider the further closure of schools from nursery and secondary levels between one and two weeks. Meanwhile, high school, college and university students can return from March 2. 

Schools have to strictly conform to coronavirus preventive measures to ensure safety when students return. 

The Ministry of Education will keep a close watch on the situation to guide localities. Due to the school closures, the 2019-2020 academic school year would be finished later than usual, before June 30. 

The entrance exam into Grade 10 would be completed before August 15 and the high school graduation exam would be carried out before July 26.