Northwest China's Chongqing Municipality issued a trial guide on how to reopen schools during the current novel coronavirus epidemic prevention and control period, for all levels and kinds of schools, according to an April 6 report by news agency Xinhua.

The guide was jointly prepared and issued by the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission and Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, which provided guidance in 10 areas, including such topics as teachers and students returning to school, campus management and environmental health.

According to the requirements of the guide, all schools should completely rebuild poorly ventilated classrooms, dormitories, toilets, etc. before the reopening.

Taps should be added at the school gates, canteen gate, the entrance of the teaching building and other key areas -- and toilets should be equipped with soap or hand sanitizers.

At the same time, all schools are required to make full use of resources such as student dormitories, rest rooms and relaxation areas, to set up centralized medical observation places in advance and reserve necessary protective materials such as face masks and body temperature thermometers.

Before teachers and students return, schools must evaluate the health history, contact history, travel history and residence history of teachers, students and employees 14 days before classes start of school, according to the "Chongqing schools' infectious disease prevention and control management system".

Teachers who are unable to return to their posts due to the epidemic will not be affected in their annual assessment, or in wages and benefits, officials said.

At the same time, the guide also proposed that in order to avoid personnel gatherings as much as possible, all school should not hold an opening ceremony, staff meeting, community activities, various competitions and other activities.

Teachers, students and school staff should enter and leave school at different times, have classes and meals at different periods and have activities in different areas. Boarding schools shall implement closed management of student apartments and verify the real names of the personnel, both in and out.

In the guide, Chongqing also proposed that safety education should be regarded as the first course after the school starts -- and special education and epidemic prevention knowledge training should be carried out in the form of themed class meetings.