Students from the Thanh Quan secondary school in Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà  Nội, attend their first class after returning to school. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — As schools begin to reopen in Hà Nội, plans are being put in place to monitor COVID-19 cases in the classroom and avoid any potential outbreaks.

Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam met with leaders of Ministry of Health and the People’s Committee of Hà Nội to discuss potential coronavirus scenarios.

Experts underlined the significance of preventive measures, such as vaccinations, detailed response plans, and sharing experience in COVID-19 treatment for children. 

Deputy Chairman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee Chử Xuân Dũng said that the city has directed medical centres and stations to support medical staff at schools and give training to teachers and school staff on pandemic prevention and control measures.

Nguyễn Trọng Khoa, deputy director of the Department for Medical Examination and Treatment under the Ministry of Health, said that the ministry is updating medical stations from central to local levels on treatment protocols for students diagnosed with COVID-19, while giving training to schools on safety and response.

Deputy PM Đam said that Việt Nam has rolled out a COVID-19 vaccination programme for children to enable them to return to school.

He asked localities to strictly implement directions from the Government as well as guidance from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Training on ensuring safety for children against the pandemic, including getting prepared to respond to COVID-19 infections in schools.

The Ministry of Education and Training has sent messages to the local departments, noting that implementing the Government's Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP on temporary regulations on adapting flexibly, and responding safely and effectively to the pandemic.

The ministry has also issued guidelines for teaching at educational institutions and schools, and applying measures to enhance teaching quality when students return to school after nine months of online learning.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Kim Sơn asked the directors of local education departments to advise chairmen of the people's committees of the provinces and cities on re-opening schools at each locality, creating good conditions for parents in transporting and child care.

With first-grade children, schools need to organise activities to create excitement and comfortable atmosphere and instruct pandemic prevention measures to protect themselves.

The schools will work closely with parents to manage children's study at home, as well as daily travelling, and monitoring children's health to detect suspected cases early to quickly prevent the spread of the disease. — VNS