[Last Updated: 2/22 11am] Check back daily for the latest updates on school and education-related information in light of Covid-19. As always, please check with your school directly for the most updated information.
(2/22 11am) Beijing schools resume e-learning until March 1st
On Feb 5, the Beijing Education Commission announced that all Beijing schools, public and private, would resume e-learning the week of Feb 22-26. The plan is for schools to resume on March 1 for all levels.
(2/18 2.15pm) Universities in Medium to High Risk Areas to Start Spring Semester Online
16 universities in Beijing have announced they will delay reopening the campus and begin their spring semester with e-learning after instructions by The Ministry of Education to stagger return dates as necessary. For those in medium or high risk areas, universities will start the spring semester on March 1 with e-learning, also staggering students’ return until classroom learning can fully begin again on March 22. According to China Daily, universities should all conduct nucleic acid tests where necessary, maintain records of staff and students’ travels, and implement control measures, prevention, and emergency drills.
(2/5 12.40pm) The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce issues guidelines for meals and gatherings during the Spring Festival
In a notice released today entitled “Guidelines for Dining at Catering Business Places”, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce is advocating that gatherings are restricted to 10 people and for no longer than 2 hours over the Chinese New Year break, which officially starts Feb 11. The guidelines apply to both restaurants and private gatherings, and the Bureau also advises patients with respiratory infectious disease, anyone who has the flu or fever, and children, pregnant women, and the elderly with chronic diseases not to participate in a gathering, even restricted ones.
(2/5 11.15am) E-learning to extend from Feb 22-26 in many international schools
Based on the information sent to parents at various international schools, the Beijing Education Commission has informed international schools the earliest they will be able to resume classes is Monday, March 1. E-learning will resume on Feb 22 for those schools that planned to return at that time. As always, please check with your school directly for the most updated information.
(2/2 9.10am) Ride hailing service in Shunyi getting back to normal with stricter prevention and control systems
Now that the Shunyi District has reported no new cases in 12 days, the 9 mediums risk areas were downgraded to low risk. Online ride-hailing and taxis were also back in operation as of yesterday (Feb 1), with multiple prevention and controls systems in place, such as regular temperature recording for drivers and riders scanning their Health Apps, as has been in place in other districts recently.
(1/21, 3.55pm) Beijing schools, both public and private, will close after Friday.
All schools in Beijing, including international schools and training centers, are to close all in-person classes from tomorrow afternoon onwards, according to announcements today from the Beijing Education Commission.
(1/20 10pm) Some Chaoyang international schools will get clarification from school board tomorrow
Although a number of Chaoyang schools with kindergarten classes emailed parents to inform of the closure, others will wait until tomorrow, when they can speak with the Chaoyang Education Commission. As always, check with your school directly.
(1/20 8.05pm) Kindergartens informed to close
Earlier this evening the Chaoyang Education Commission has requested that all kindergartens to close due to the escalation of Covid-19 cases.
(1/18 8.29pm) Shunyi risk level lowered
Shunyi’s Xidulan Village in Nanfaxin Township has seen its risk level lowered back down to low.
(1/17 9.04pm) Vaccination in Beijing
According to China Daily 1.7 million have received the vaccination in Beijing. The current population of being is approximately 20.5 million, which means 8.3% have received it.
(1/14 9.54am) BIBA extends online and blended learning until CNY holiday
In a letter to parents on Jan 12 and confirmed by the school, Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA) announced that they’ve been advised by the Shunyi Education authorities to extend Elementary and Middle school students’ online learning until the Chinese New Year holiday begins.
High school students will continue blended learning until Feb 5. BIBA also encouraged all families to remain in Beijing “to protect their own health and safety as well as those of their own community.”
(1/12 2.35pm) Didi suspends rides to Shunyi
Didi has temporarily suspended rides to and from Shunyi District.
(1/11 8.19pm) Health code now required in rideshares
Beginning today, Jan 11, all ridesharing apps like Didi Chuxing and Huaxiaozhu will require passengers to scan with the Beijing Health Kit app when boarding the car within Beijing.
The regulation was announced yesterday at the city’s 206th epidemic press conference, which reiterated that all rideshare drivers must wear masks and check their temperature before operating the vehicle and also stipulated that all drivers receive a nucleic acid test. Officials at the conference also reminded city residents that the government is still looking for passengers who rode in the car with the license plate 京P18E77 and asks that anyone who did so should self-report.
As for Shunyi, the latest orders will suspend drivers who reside within the district and will prevent any rideshares from going into the district, with the exception of rides to Capital Airport (which, while surrounded by Shunyi, is technically part of Chaoyang district).
The new rules come following fears that infected people may have ridden in several rideshare cars.
(1/11 8.17pm) Shipping troubles to and from Shunyi
In the absence of an official statement or policy on the situation, it’s difficult to put together a clear of the extent of shipping restrictions, but according to Beijing Youth Daily, nearly all major express companies, with the exception of SF Express and EMS, have temporarily shut down a portion of their Shunyi-based shipping nodes. Currently, residents and businesses have been experiencing major delays, or in some cases a downright inability to send or receive express shipping.
(1/10 7.17pm) New restrictions on ride-hailing in Beijing and Shunyi drivers, two new infections
Temporary new rules on taxis and ride-hailing apps were established at today’s press conference: Beginning tomorrow, all users boarding taxis pr using ride-hailing apps such as Didi will need to register with their Beijing Heath Kit mini-app before entering the vehicle.
In addition, all drivers based in Shunyi are temporarily suspended from driving, and service to Shunyi has been suspended with no entry, no exit, and no dispatch (except to and from the airport).
Today’s city press conference on the Covid-19 situation in Beijing offered up additional details of the asymptomatic case reported this morning: turns out he is a driver for a ride-hailing service, a 27-year-old male, resident of Lianzhuang Village, Zhaoquanying Township, Shunyi, and the son of the other case reported this morning. On Jan 8 he drove his father to the Tsinghua Changgung Hospital near Tiantongyuan in Changping where the dad tested positive (w/symptoms), and he tested positive but asymptomatic. Details of the younger man’s movements are tracked in detail in this Beijing Youth Daily article.
(1/9 10.21am) Harrow Beijing extends CNY break
Harrow Beijing (HBJ) sent an email to parents informing them of the recent changes to the Chinese New Year break.
- Lower School and Years 6 – 7 will begin their Chinese New Year break on Jan 15
- Years 8 – 9 students will begin their CNY break on Jan 22
- Upper School students will begin their CNY break on Jan 29
HBJ will resume classes on Mar 1. To make up for the teaching days lost to the latest changes to the CNY holiday, HBJ will be canceling Spring Break scheduled to take place from Apr 2-19 as makeup days.
(1/6 6.04pm) Travel restrictions in Beijing
The city is stopping sales of bus and train tickets into Beijing from Shijiazhuang and Handan, two Hebei cities that have seen recent outbreaks. Several on-sections of the highway near these areas have been closed to traffic. The combination of epidemic-related traffic control, the approaching CNY holiday, and freezing temperatures may lead to delays in getting courier packages sent into the city.
(1/5 8.03pm) BIBA follows the latest school teaching and learning requirements
As of Monday (Jan 4) schools have received the following requirements:
– ECC & KG teachers will provide online home school communication and home learning materials for children. Divisional leaders will make separate contact with all teachers to outline the teaching and learning plan for each of the grade levels as well as the social and emotional support relevant to their division.-Grade 1 to Grade 8, Grade 10 and Grade 11 students will have online classes at home.
-Grades 12 & Grade 9 (Blended learning) – Parents have the option for their child to study on campus for face-to-face classes or parents can choose for their child to study on-line. It is important to note that the Grade 12 students have mock exams next week on campus and should be in attendance for these important assessments in each of their subject areas.
– Any student or staff member accessing the campus must provide valid proof of negative COVID-19 test results within 3 days, a temperature check, a green code on the Beijing Health Kit, and a completed Health Declaration Form.
Beijing International Bilingual School (BIBA) staff are advised to stay in Beijing for the holidays unless it is necessary. Avoid gather or high/mid-risk areas. Staff and students must wear masks throughout the school day. Canteen staff and cleaning staff must wear disposable gloves. No external visitor is allowed on campus.
Clean and disinfect frequently within the school between use as much as possible. Increase outdoor air ventilation, using caution in highly polluted areas.
(1/4 5.45pm) Quarantine policy remains the same
A misleading tweet from Global Times sparked discussion today. Those people who entered China via other ports but have not fully observed 21 days of quarantine must finish a full 21 days before going out in Beijing. This does not mean a 21-day hotel quarantine. The quarantine period is and has been “14+7” which means 14 in a hotel and 7 at home.
The quarantine policy remains 14 days hotel quarantine and more stringent enforcement of 7 days at home afterward.
(1/3 4.50pm) Two cases were reported yesterday in Beijing, one domestic transmission, and one imported.
Domestic case: 8-month-old female residing in Caiyuan community, Nancai Township, Shunyi. On Dec 31 she was determined to have had close contact with another case and was put under quarantine. On Jan 1 she was confirmed as a case and transported to Ditan Hospital for treatment. Her condition is classified as normal.
Imported case: 24-year-old male from China, working in Pakistan. Arrived from Pakistan on CA946 on Dec 18, tested negative, and was placed in quarantine. On Jan 1, he tested positive and was transported to Ditan Hospital for treatment. His condition is classified as light.
(1/3 11.30am) International School of Beijing (ISB) moves Early Years 3 through Grade 8 to virtual learning through Jan 15
According to ISB leadership, beginning Tues, Jan 5, ISB will return to online learning for grades EY3 through Grade 8, according to information parents received the evening of Jan 2. ISB students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 have the option of attending classes on campus if they so choose. The authorities requested that ISB also make e-learning an option for these grades, but the Principal feels confident enough in their safety measures to encourage on-campus learning as well.
The authorities have granted permission for all High School grades to return to school.
All after school activities are also canceled. Mon, Jan 4 is now a preparation day, with Microsoft Team meetings to be scheduled between Principals and parents. Students will also be given time frames to pick up any necessary materials from school on that day as well.
(UPDATE 1/3 9.36am) The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi moves to online learning for all years except Years 10, 11, 12, and 13
As reported on their website, BSB Shunyi Principal Richard Thornhill announced that all the Shunyi Education Commission will not permit the full opening of schools at this time. All students will move to online learning with the exception of Years 10, 11, 12, and 13, provided they supply proof of a negative COVID-19 test. It was previously reported that only Years 11 and 13 could return to campus, but an update was posted last night.
Staff will work on campus Monday and students should expect their normal timetable to begin on Tues, Jan 5. Teachers will teach from their classrooms and “homework will continue to be set as normal,” according to BSB Shunyi’s letter.
(1/2 7.36pm) Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) Early Years, Junior School and Key Stage 3 to resume online learning through Jan 15
From DCB: “In line with the latest government’s instructions for the international schools in Shunyi, all the DCB Early Years, Junior School and Key Stage 3 (Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9) students will resume online learning at home for the first two weeks (4th – 15th January) of Term Two. For the Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 students (Year 10, 11, 12 and 13), they will be able to return to the campus on the morning of Monday, 4th January. Any student or staff member accessing the campus or school buses must provide valid proof of negative COVID-19 test results, green code on the Beijing Health Kit, a completed 14-day temperature record form, and a completed Health Declaration Form. No external visitor is allowed on campus unless absolutely necessary. Towards the end of the second week of Term Two, the College will review the situation and consult the government authorities for further guidance.”
(1/2 4.06pm) Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) Requires COVID-19 testing to return to campus
In order to enter campus on Wednesday, January 6, all students, teachers, staff, and contracted staff must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test dated December 24 or later and taken within Beijing. If you have traveled outside of Beijing on or after December 24, then you will need to have a new COVID-19 test dated December 30 or later and taken within Beijing.
In addition, all upcoming external activities and coffee mornings are canceled, and the enhanced health and safety measures on campus will be followed as noted in their letter, sent to families today.
(1/2 9am) A top official from Shunyi district yesterday urged residents to avoid all unnecessary travel outside the home and to plan on spending the Spring Festival within the district.
While outlining a series of measures to get the latest outbreak under control, Shunyi District Committee Standing Committee Deputy Chief Zhi Xianwei urged people to cancel or postpone all non-essential trips outside the district.
Zhi also said all 51 of the district’s after-school training centers have been ordered closed, as well as movie theaters, swimming pools, and other recreational facilities that normally draw crowds.
(12/31 7.49pm) First hand COVID testing experience
In anticipation of Eloise’s school’s request for COVID tests, Mike and Eloise Wester went down to Ditan hospital. Click here to watch their first-hand COVID testing experience.
(12/30 3.47pm) YCIS keeps to the original CNY schedule
After communicating with the Education Commission YCIS has received confirmation that the school may keep to their current school calendar with the start of the second semester as scheduled on Jan 5 and their Chinese New Year holiday also as scheduled starting on Feb 6.
(12/30 11.24am) 4yr old boy contracts COVID
On Dec 13 a 4yr old boy visited an area in Chaoyang District considered medium risk with his father (presumed to be the Hanting Hotel/Qingfeng Steamed Bun complex, currently the only medium risk area in Chaoyang). On Dec 19 when the news broke about that cluster, the boy’s father reported their visit to their community and began quarantining at home, as is the protocol. On Dec 29 the boy tested positive and was transported to Ditan Hospital for treatment. His case is classified as light.
(12/30 11.19am) Testing required to return to Dulwich College Beijing
Based on the latest government instructions, everyone, including the staff, third-party staff, and students need to present valid proof of negative COVID-19 test results to enter the campus.
(12/29 5.35pm) Beijing CDC’s recommendations for CNY holiday
During today’s press conference Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deputy director Pang Xinghuo said that the current situation in Beijing is severe and complex and with the Chinese New Year holiday fast approaching, the flow and gathering of people is likely to increase the spread of the latest COVID-19 outbreak. He reminds Beijing residents to reduce large gatherings and adhere to good personal hygiene habits such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, ventilating frequently, gathering less, maintaining a one-meter distance, and using sharing utensils when dining with others.
(12/29 5.12pm) Official changes to CNY holiday in public schools
From today’s press conference a spokesperson for the Municipal Education Commission announced that Beijing’s public elementary schools up to grade 6 will take the Chinese New Year holiday two weeks ahead of schedule starting from Jan 16. Grades 7 and 8 will take the Chinese New Year holiday one week ahead of schedule starting from Jan 23. High school students will take Chinese New Year as originally scheduled started from Jan 30.
No update yet on whether this will affect private schools and international schools.
(12/29 3pm) COVID testing at Beijing United Family Hospital
BJU sent out a WeChat post reminding patients that they can request either an urgent or regular PCR nucleic acid test. The results of a regular test are available within 15 hours, while the urgent test results are available 5-8 hours after the test is complete. Results will be sent in both English and Chinese to your email address of choice and are also available via your Patient Portal on the same day. Other major hospitals offering COVID testing include Chaoyang Hospital and Ditan Hospital. More information can be found on theBeijinger.
(12/29 2.56pm) Negative COVID-19 test needed to return to BIBA
Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA) issued a letter to parents informing them that in accordance to the latest notice from the Education Committee, all teachers and students are required to provide nucleic acid negative test certificates before returning to school.
(12/29 8.42am) New COVID-19 cases detected
Seven additional cases were detected yesterday in Beijing, all residents of Shunyi. It’s the highest one-day total in a long while, most likely the result of over a million tests being conducted in the district over the last 3 days.
(12/28 11.49pm) Student needs negative COVID-19 test to return to BSB, Shunyi
BSB, Shunyi plans on welcoming back its students on Jan 4. The school has asked all staff and students (including those aged 6 and under) must have a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test before they return to school.
(12/28 11.30am) The Children’s House Montessori Kindergarten Winter Camp – Chinese Treasures cancels field trip
in light of the newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 The Children’s House has decided to cancel its field trip to the Song Art Gallery located in Shunyi.
(12/28 11.30am) Testing required to return to ISB
International School of Beijing issued a letter to parents requiring that all students, teachers, staff, and contracted staff to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within Beijing dated no earlier than Dec 24 in order to enter the campus.
