Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae has reiterated the government’s policy to expand in-person classes despite a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, including among students.  

In a statement on Friday, Yoo said the ministry will be thorough in preparing for the expansion of the back-to-school policy slated for September 6 and strengthen monitoring of quarantine measures at schools. 

She said for the safety of the children returning, the risks of infection outside school also should be lowered, urging the public to observe quarantine measures and get vaccinated. 

In an announcement on August 9, the ministry said it will allow schools in Level Three to fully open classrooms from September 6, while allowing schools in Level Four to allow up to two-third of students to return.

Later in the day, education officials, including Yoo, and a group of health experts will have a meeting to discuss specific measures to keep schools safe. 

A total of one-thousand-135 students nationwide were diagnosed with COVID-19 from August 19 to 25, coming in at an average of 162-point-one cases per day. This is close to the previous record of 162-point-four per day for the first and second semester of this year.