File Photo: Xinhua 

Beijing authorities urged students in primary and middle schools in the city to stay on campus and reduce unnecessary trips. Students will have their winter holidays in three staggered groups amid a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the capital. 

Beijing schools will have winter holidays in three different groups, amid a coronavirus resurgence. Primary schools will have holidays starting January 16; middle school students starting January 23, while the remaining grades of students will begin their breaks on January 30, Li Yi, an official from the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, said on Tuesday. 

Li said that primary and middle schools in Beijing should be strictly managed. Students, teachers and family members shall not consider overseas or other domestic trips, or participate in crowded gatherings. 

People working in canteens must obtain health certificates and a negative nucleic acid test report. Any sick employee shall not work at their post, Li said, stressing on schools to adopt measures to prevent infections spreading among campuses. 

The Beijing epidemic situation is grim and complex. As New Year's Day and Spring Festival holidays approach, the risk of the epidemic is rising along with populations flows and crowding, Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the municipal center for disease prevention and control, said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Companies should strictly carry out prevention measures and strengthen staff health monitoring and management. They shall reduce personnel gathering, advocate for people to send blessings online, and reduce offline annual meetings and parties during the holidays, Pang said. 

Global Times