More universities postpone spring semester
More universities in Shanghai are delaying the start of the spring semester in response to an ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
The postponements came after the State Council of China decided to extend the Spring Festival holiday in order to curb the spread of novel coronavirus-related pneumonia, which has infected over 2,000 people in China and killed 56.
The holiday, which was originally scheduled to end on January 30, will be extended to February 2, the State Council said in a statement released on Sunday.
The reopening of all schools — including universities, colleges, primary and secondary schools, as well as kindergartens — will also be postponed, with further details to be announced later by education authorities.
Fudan University announced the semester delay on its Weibo and WeChat accounts at midnight of Sunday. A specific restarting time and follow-up arrangements will be posted soon, and students must not return to university in advance.
East China Normal University also told faculty and students, except those remaining on campus during the winter vacation, not to return to the university in advance of a new start date, which will be announced later.
Those who have returned recently will be isolated or quarantined in designated spaces provided by the university.
Access to the university is now closed to the public and only those with valid campus ID cards will be allowed to enter.
Public study places, including libraries and teaching buildings, have also been closed. Meetings, forums, lectures and cultural and sports activities have all been cancelled. Disinfection has been increased; service staff are required to wear masks and have their temperatures checked at least twice per day.
Shanghai International Studies University said it has postponed the new semester and asked students not to return before February 20.
Previously, Shanghai University, New York University Shanghai and Shanghai TechUniversity all decided to defer the start of the new semester.
