More than 240 students in Can Gio District’s Thanh An Commune were the first in the city to return to school on the morning of October 20.

As the first area in the virus hotspot to be declared clear of the virus, Can Gio authorities proposed to reopen local schools from early October but then they needed more time to make better preparations.

HCM City Department of Health has sent staff to help the schools with Covid-19 prevention work before the reopening of three schools in the commune. All 67 teachers at local schools have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 while all students have tested negative for the virus.

These students have been the first among 1.71 million students in the city to return to class since the mass school closure for Covid-19 prevention on May 10. Some other schools in District 3, 8, 12 and Tan Binh District are also preparing to reopen soon as the pandemic is being brought under control.

The municipal Department of Health has decided to stop using local schools for Covid-19 quarantine activities by October 25.

Local authorities expected to reopen all schools by early January next year.

The Ministry of Health has instructed health departments and epidemiology institutes across the country to start immunising children as soon as possible.