Thailand to reopen schools in areas with fewer infections and higher vaccination coverage

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Students sit at desks with plastic sheets set up to ensure social distancing during the first day of school, after the Thai government eased isolation measures and introduced social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Watpichai school in Bangkok, Thailand, 01 July, 2020. (Photo by Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto)

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health have confirmed schools are now ready for reopening, with those in areas with fewer infections and higher vaccination coverage to press ahead with campus reopening on 1 November.



Minister of Education Trinuch Thienthong said schools across the country will resume classes for the new academic term from November, with some 30,000 schools now well prepared for reopening.
The minister said not all schools will get to reopen their campus on 1 November, as factors such as COVID-19 cases have to be taken into consideration.


The Ministry of Education has asked schools to evaluate the risk factors in their areas and determine whether they are ready for reopening. Data will be submitted to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration next week to establish an official reopening guideline.



For schools in the southern region, the minister said provincial public health offices will be making the assessments, with online classes being a viable option for infectious areas.

She said unvaccinated students will be allowed to go to school after the reopening, as stringent health and safety measures will be put in place. (NNT)