Guangdong's college exam to continue under strict virus protection measures

Students who have been confirmed to be COVID-19 patients or asymptomatic carriers in Guangdong province will be able to take the upcoming national college entrance examination in isolated wards in hospitals, according to a local education official.

"The examination papers will also be disinfected after students finish the examination," said Jing Lihu, director of the Guangdong provincial department of education, during a regular press briefing on Wednesday.

According to Jing, authorities in Guangdong will introduce the strictest control and prevention measures against the coronavirus pandemic to ensure a safe running of the examination, or gaokao, which will take place on June 6.

"All students' health will be closely monitored 14 days before they attend the examinations and they will be covered by nucleic acid tests seven days ahead of the examinations," Jing said.

All examination staff will also be required to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. 

To ensure a smooth running of the examinations, in-person classes for first- and second-year students at senior high schools in Guangzhou and Foshan have been suspended since Monday until July 11. 

Guangdong has 636,000 students who are going to attend this year's summer college entrance examination, with nearly 80,000 staff to administer the test.

"The examination is of great importance to students and their families, who will be assured of safe and smooth operation this year, although the province has already reported COVID-19 cases in some places," Jing said.

The subdistricts of Baihedong and Zhongnan in Liwan district of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, have been listed as high-risk areas as the city continues to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Students, parents and examination staff in high-risk areas will not be allowed to have any contacts with their counterparts in middle and low-risk areas," Jing said.