08/05/2020
East Asia - Covid-19 update - 8 May 2020
Advice for UK Education Institutions on Covid-19 impact in East Asia
Summary
At the British Council, the health and safety of all our visitors, staff and the communities in which we operate is our top priority. We support and cooperate with all local government agencies to put all necessary measures in place to ensure the continued well-being of all with whom we engage in the course of our operations.
This post is to keep UK institutions updated on disruptions across the East Asia region caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
For travel advice, please refer to FCO updates, and we would encourage institutions who are considering travelling to sign up for alerts - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also strongly encourage visiting local government health websites to stay abreast of the prevailing health advisory and precautionary measures in any country.
For IELTS test arrangements as a result of Novel Coronavirus precautions, please see: https://www.ielts.org/news/2020/changes-to-ielts-test-arrangements-in-some-locations-due-to-novel-coronavirus.
We are monitoring the situation very closely and will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. Please find current information by country/territory as per below:
Key Updates
China: all 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have either reopened their schools or set return dates for at least some students
Hong Kong: on 05 May, the Education Bureau announced that local schools will reopen in phases from late May
Korea: Korean students are starting to return to schools, starting with 12th graders on 13 May.
Vietnam: Students in almost all localities returned to schools and universities on 27 April.
China
Updated 8 May
High schoolers now returning to school in all Chinese provinces; most have also announced university reopening dates
As of 20 April, all of China’s 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have either reopened their schools or set return dates for at least some students – including the worst-affected province of Hubei. All provinces and regions have also rescheduled their Gaokao university entrance exams to the 7th-8th of July, while most have also announced postponement of the Zhongkao high school entrance exam taken at age 15.
School Education
Although most re-openings are now proceeded according to schedule, a staggered approach has been taken and varied from each province. Mostly starting with students in the 3rd (final) year of high school as well as those in their 3rd year of junior high school, who are preparing for their Gaokao and Zhongkao exams respectively. In many cases the remaining secondary students will return one week after final-year students, with some provinces also reopening primary schools at the same time.
As of 27 April, Beijing Municipal Government’s announced nearly all 50,000 students in their final year of senior high school in Beijing returned to class, while around 1,200 students failed to return because of isolation or other reasons. Schools mandated that students and teachers must have their temperatures checked and hands sanitized upon arrival. Each person must also wear a mask throughout the day, except during mealtimes.
The most recent back-to-school is reported on 6 May for high school seniors in Wuhan, Hubei province — the hardest hit area in China by the COVID-19 pandemic. Wuhan reopened its first batch of 121 high schools 10 days after the city announced itself clear of COVID-19 patients, with a total number of 57,800 senior students returning. Schools will conduct lectures with no more than 30 students in each classroom to make sure each student is adequately distanced. Some schools also arranged different times for teachers and students to enter or leave to avoid crowding.
Higher Education
At the higher education level, at least 27 provincial-level regions have also announced their arrangements for opening university campuses, 4 not announced yet, including Heilongjiang, Hunan, Hebei and Beijing. The table below shows all currently announced university reopening dates as of 8 of May. This re-opening does not include international students or staff currently outside of China as the Chinese border is currently closed to foreigners.
In contrast to basic education, specific dates for universities’ reopening are set by the individual institution – provincial-level announcements set the earliest date that they can reopen rather than requiring them to reopen on that date.
For example, although Hunan provincial government hasn’t announced any specific dates for reopening of universities in Hunan, Hunan City College has received the approval to set the timeline for final-year students returning to the campus on 9 – 10 May, the remaining students were scheduled to return on 16 – 17 May.
Also though most universities in Jiangsu reopened throughout April, Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University has announced all delivery will be conducted online and students will not come back to the campus this academic year.
Likewise, Nanjing Agricultural University encouraged those final-year students could stay at home if it is not essential for them to access to the experimental/practical facilities for achieving final degrees. And remaining students could voluntarily opt for returning to the campus or not for the spring term.
Most of the Universities taking staggered approaches are prioritising all graduating students and to ensure them to complete graduation procedures scheduled in June.
At East China Normal University in Shanghai, students need to submit applications at least three days before they arrive, explaining the reason for their return, detailing their itinerary and showing their green QR health codes. They also have to complete a health statement. Under the University’s current COVID-19 prevention measures, only graduating students and those with important research tasks can return. Some non-locals already in Shanghai could return from late April and those from Hubei can return to the campus with undergoing a 14-day quarantine at designated place in the University and pass nucleic acid and antibody tests.
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by May 8th |
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After May 9th |
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by May 10th |
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After May 11th |
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After May 13th |
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“Mid May” |
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After May 15th |
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After May 16th |
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After May 18th |
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After May 20th |
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Comment by British Council International Education Services:
UK institutions working with Chinese partners or recruiting Chinese students should be aware of current study arrangements in the country. For TNE providers, close discussions with partners are encouraged to support preparations for reopening of campuses and continued delivery of short term solutions including online delivery where campuses remain closed.
China’s National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) postponed one month
This year’s National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) is postponed by one month to July 2020. The exams will be held on the 7 and 8 July, rather than starting from 7 June as originally scheduled.
All provinces except Hubei will follow these new dates.
Hubei has been granted permission to decide on its own timeline for the Gaokao, due to the severity of the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. Dates for the Gaokao in Hubei will be released in due course by the Ministry of Education.
Comment by British Council International Education Services:
Gaokao results are usually published about three weeks after the examinations. In the last couple of years an increasing number of UK institutions have begun accepting Gaokao results for entry. Institutions who plan to accept students for 2020 based on Gaokao results will now need to wait until the end of July to be able to do so.
Institutions should consider reviewing their communication and messaging to any students who have offers based on Gaokao results to reassure them that entry will still be accepted.
Return dates have now been set for final-year high school students in most provinces so students will be able to return to school and prepare for the exams. For the latest details on provincial return dates please see here.
Source
Ministry of Education - Announcement on the 2020 National College Entrance Examination schedule (in Chinese): http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xxgk/s5743/s5744/202003/t20200331_436662.html
Chinese education authorities announce flexibility on overseas distance learning recognition during epidemic period
The Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) - a body under the Ministry of Education - announced on April 3rd that it would relax its rules on the recognition of overseas distance-learning qualifications due to the current COVID-19 epidemic.
The announcement expressed CSCSE's "understanding and support" of overseas universities' measures to mitigate the epidemic, including online delivery and online thesis defence, and confirmed that these measures will not affect the recognition of overseas degrees even if this results in students' overseas study duration not meeting the stated requirements for their degree to be recognised in China.
Comment by British Council International Education Services
CSCSE is responsible for officially accrediting overseas degrees in China, and returning overseas graduates are required to register their degrees with CSCSE to confirm their validity.
The recent announcement confirms that overseas degrees will still be recognised even if universities' mitigation measures would mean that the course fails to meet CSCSE's recognition requirements (for example because students return to China and study remotely).
The British Council's discussion with CSCSE confirms that this policy will apply for the whole period of epidemic controls, including newly registered students if the epidemic continues into the next academic year.
However, it only applies to students who find themselves studying online as a result of their universities' COVID-19 mitigation measures. It should not be interpreted as a change in CSCSE's policy for the recognition of online delivery more broadly.
Market support
We are currently exploring alternative marketing and student recruitment solutions for UK institutions where on-the-ground activities in China have been affected by the outbreak.
Two digital campaigns in China are currently open for registration:
China Spring Media Campaign
Post Gaokao Virtual Clearing Exhibition
Hong Kong
Updated 06 May 2020
Public Events
As of 08 May, the government will relax the limit on the size of social gathering and allow a group of up to eight people getting together in public places. There's no limit on how many people can congregate in private settings or at a place of work, however this still means that face to face student recruitment activities are currently not feasible.
Schools
In light of a dwindling number of new Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong lately, on 05 May, the Education Bureau announced that local schools will reopen in phases from late May. Senior secondary students from Form 5 to Form 3 are expected to return to schools on 27 May firstly; followed by the rest of younger secondary students and Primary Year 4 to Year 6 students to resume classes on 8 June. Finally, the rest of Primary students along with Kindergarten students at K3 level will restart on 15 June. As for international schools, they may choose to reopen from 20 May onwards.
In addition, it was also reported that local schools may shorten this year’s summer break by up to 3 weeks in order to catch up with the learning progress after 4 months of class suspensions. This may affect students’ plan to enrol on a summer course or camp overseas.
HKDSE Exam
The HKDSE exam is taking place on 24 April – 25 May as scheduled. The tests were originally expected to begin on 27 March but were pushed back due to surge of Covid-19 infected cases in March. The oral tests of Chinese and English Languages were also cancelled. Around 46,000 school candidates registered for this year’s DSE exam, which is 5% fewer than the total number last year. Candidates are expected to receive their results on 22 July and offers from their chosen universities (JUPAS* results) on 13 August.
*Note: JUPAS in HK is equivalent to UCAS in the UK
Sources:
Announcement of 2020 JUPAS Main Round Offer Results, JUPAS, 11.03.2020
Press release by Education Bureau, HKSAR (Chinese only) 15.04.2020
Hong Kong students finally begin delayed Diploma of Secondary Education university entrance exams after month’s delay, SCMP 24.04.2020
Coronavirus: masks, lost progress and summer break among questions facing Hong Kong schools ahead of campus return, SCMP 06.05.2020
Local Universities
Local publicly funded universities have switched to online since early February and likely continue this measured approach until end of the second term (early June). Many final exams are now set to be conducted online. Local student unions have urged universities to ensure assessments be fair and accessible to all students, in particular, those who are from vulnerable families (given the difficulties of online learning). Some options e.g. ‘late withdrawal’ and ‘pass-fail’ options have been commonly used amongst local universities. The latter means students would not receive letter grades and have the grades to be calculated towards their overall GPA. Currently, it has been offered by the University of Hong Kong, University of Science and Technology, and Education University.
Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3079668/coronavirus-final-exams-loom-hong-kongs-university
British Council Operations
The British Council office in Hong Kong reopened on Monday 02 March, however is closed to the public. For the most up-to-date information on our services, please visit our website: www.britishcouncil.hk/en/novel-coronavirus-update.
We are of course happy to hold meetings with the UK Education sector by means of Skype calls.
Travel restrictions in summary
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Non-Hong Kong residents will be denied entry into HK
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HK residents and valid HK visa holders must be self-isolated for 14 days after returning home
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Passengers are no longer permitted to transit through HK International Airport.
Sources:
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Press release: Government enhances disease prevention and control measures with reference to WHO's advice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
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Centre for Health Protection (CHP), HKSAR
Macau
Updated 4 May
Senior secondary schools resumed classes on 4th May and junior secondary schools will resume classes on 11th May. For resumption of classes in kindergartens, primary and special education schools, it will be announced later in accordance with the epidemic situation.
Source:
https://www.ssm.gov.mo/apps1/PreventCOVID-19/en.aspx#clg17458
Contact: Anna Lee anna.lee@britishcouncil.org.hk or Karen Hsu karen.hsu@britishcouncil.org.hk
Indonesia
Updated 5 May
Large scale strict social restrictions and social distancing remain in place to counter the spread of Covid-19.
The government has decided to ease the restrictions for some industries and production to counter the impact of Covid-19 on the economy. These permits have been issued to selected industries.
Sources:
https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/05/04/covid-19-brace-for-new-normal-govt-says.html
Schools and Universities
Education institutions remain closed. The national exams for schools were cancelled and institutions advised to opt for other assessment methods. Universities have been allowed the flexibility to opt for online assessments and flexible exam schedules as per institutional discretion.
LPDP scholarship awardees continue to benefit from flexible scholarship arrangements but the new cycle of applications has been postponed for the time being.
Some funds from the Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) budgets have been re-allocated towards the fight against Covid-19 across Indonesia.
Sources:
Public events
Large scale social restrictions are in place against public gatherings including all events. Only essential services are open and available for use.
British Council Activity
British Council staff are working home as offices remain closed.
Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my
Japan
Updated 4th May
Latest news
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On 4th May the Japanese Government extended state of emergency over coronavirus until May 31. Emergency measures will vary by locality but are likely to include requests or directives for residents to stay at home, work from home, and avoid areas where infection is more likely.
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As of 3rd April, the Government of Japan will deny entry to Japan for any non-Japanese nationals who have been to the UK in the last 14 days, other than in exceptional circumstances. These measures also apply to people who live in Japan but are temporarily out of the country.
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Japan has suspended its visa waiver system for anyone travelling on a British Citizen or British National (Overseas) passport until at least the end of April 2020.
Public Events
Many large-scale events, including study abroad fairs, across the country remain cancelled.
Schools and Universities
Under the state of emergency, most schools and universities extend the closures until at least the 31st May.
British Council Activities
We are keen to support your continued engagement with Japan and are exploring alternative ways to profile institutions and to help you connect with prospective students and their families. Details will be shared via this website in the coming weeks.
Contact
Tomoko Kawakita, Head of Education, British Council Japan - tomoko.kawakita@britishcouncil.or.jp
Malaysia
Updated 5 May
Government Response
The Malaysian government has announced a change to the Movement Control Order (MCO). The new Conditional Movement Order is in place from 4 May. The slight relaxation for economic and business sectors is allowed only under strict conditions and enforcement of stringent health standard operating procedures. However, some businesses and social activities that pose a risk for spread of Covid-19 remain closed till further notice.
Sources:
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/02/more-restrictions-lifted-but-with-sop
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/02/rules-updated-under-conditional-mco
Public Events
The restricted movement order remains in place for large-scale events. Health authorities in Malaysia have advised against organising any events (mass gathering of 50 people and above) for six months to a year even after the period of movement restriction. However, activities that do not draw large gatherings or close contact are now allowed under certain conditions.
Schools and Universities
All educational institutions and campuses remain closed until further notice as part of the MCO.
Local higher education institutions have been advised to commence the second semester of the current academic year between 27 April and 1 June 2020. This is based on the provision and readiness by local institutions to take on online learning options.
The Ministry of Education have cancelled and postponed SPM, SPTM, UPSR examinations. The changes to the academic cycle may impact UK institutions recruitment plans.
Sources:
Travel Restrictions
The new Conditional Movement Order implemented on 4 May will allow some internal travel to resume soon. Details for this are awaited.
However, travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for international travel are in place as per before. There is also a full ban on tourists and foreign visitors entering Malaysia.
British Council Activities
British Council staff continue to work from home till further notice and lifting of the movement control order.
Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my
Singapore
Updated 5 May
The Singapore government has announced a structured plan for the relaxation of the ‘circuit-breaker’ and social distancing measures that were announced earlier. This plan is in place from 5 May with a further relaxation from 12 May onwards.
Details can be viewed at: https://www.gov.sg/article/easing-circuit-breaker-measures-how-are-we-cautiously-lifting-restrictions
Educational institutions
Following government directives most institutions have shifted to home-based learning, cancelled in-person examinations and universities are shifting to online assessments. Changes have been introduced for school holiday schedules and examination processes. However, students from graduating cohorts from schools may be allowed to go to schools for any help or consultations with teachers.
Sources:
https://www.moe.gov.sg/addressing-top-covid-19-concerns
The Ministry of Education has advised international students from Singapore to return home. Students choosing to stay abroad are to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Public events
The ban on public events remains in place and large-scale gatherings are not allowed.
The Ministry of Health in Singapore provides a regularly updated status report on the daily situation for all at https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19
Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my
South Korea
Updated on 6 May
South Korea has reported fewer than 10 new infection cases per day for six consecutive days as of 5 May. [1] The government will ease social-distancing rules from 6 May and start a slow return to normal gradually by allowing social gatherings and events provided that preventive measures are taken. [2]
Schools
Korean students will finally go back to school, after a month of postponement of the new school year and another month of remote learning. Classes will start gradually from 13 May, beginning with the 12th graders due to the preparation of the college entrance examinations. [3]
The schedule of early admission and the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) will be deferred for about two weeks. CSAT will take place on 3 December 2020 instead of late November.
Higher Education
Most universities restarted in late March after up to four weeks of postponement, but mainly offering online courses. The exam schedule for the first semester has been postponed for about two weeks in general.
According to the Korean Council for Presidents of Private Universities (KCPPU), 117 out of 193 four-year universities (60.6 percent), decided to conduct the entire first semester remotely or by indefinitely postponing face-to-face lectures. [4] This was possible because the Education Ministry decided not to apply the regulation stipulating a 20% limit to remote classes by universities in the 2020 spring semester. [5]
According to a survey carried by the National University Student Council Network (NUSCN) in Korea, almost all university students in South Korea are demanding a full or partial refund of their tuition fees for the spring semester due to the poor quality of online lectures currently underway due to the coronavirus. [6] The government has left the matter to each institution's discretion. [7]
Sources:
Korea Government’s official website for Covid-19: http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/
[1] https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200505001400320
[2] http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/05/04/2020050401898.html
[4] https://www.fnnews.com/news/202005051829023523 (Korean)
[5] http://edu.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/02/12/2020021202662.html (Korean)
[6] https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200421007300315?section=search
[7] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2020/05/181_288527.html
Contact: Heather Eom sunhyun.eom@britishcouncil.org.kr
Taiwan
Updated 4 May
The situation of COVID-19 in Taiwan remains positive, with few new local transmission cases (source). The government has maintained measures such as wearing facemasks if you are outside and having temperature taken for entering school buildings and campuses, those who have fevers are not allowed to enter. For information on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Taiwan, please visit the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.tw/En
Most public events are currently cancelled.
Schools and Universities
The Central Epidemic Command Center announced on 16 March that students and teachers at senior and junior high schools as well as elementary schools around Taiwan will all be prohibited from overseas travel until the end of the current semester, which is scheduled to end on July 14.
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The Comprehensive assessment for Junior High School students is continue to happen on 15 – 16 May. Students need to wear mask while taking the exam.
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The National University Entry Exam of Advanced Subjects Test is continue to happen in July, the dates changed to 3 – 5 July.
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Most of the activities on school/university campus for students before June are currently cancelled.
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Most university graduation in June is currently cancelled for further notice.
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All classes for school and university sectors remain in normal operations, all the international events and large-scale events are suspended.
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The teacher who teaches the large class at the university, the class is divided into small classes or by distance teaching.
Travel Restrictions in summary
- All eligible passengers entering Taiwan must undergo 14 days of home quarantine
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Foreign nationals are not permitted to enter Taiwan
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No passengers are permitted to transit through Taiwan
Sources:
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3899387
Contact: Diane Hsu, diane.hsu@britishcouncil.org.tw
Thailand
Updated 4 May
Thailand has extended an emergency decree imposed from 26 March to 31 May. A 6-hour curfew from 22.00-04.00 has been announced and there are health check points nationwide. All international inbound flights are banned until 31 May. Starting 3 May, measures have been relaxed nation-wide for 6 sectors, i.e. markets, food places (outside malls), retails, sporting venues where there are no close interactions, barber/hair salon and pet care services. If there are no cases increased or the increase is no more than 20 - 30 in the next 14 days after measures relaxed, the next phase of measures for other business sectors will be announced. Educational institutions are grouped in phase 4 (last one). If we are able to contain the virus and limit the number of infected cases, it is likely that in the next 3 months all business sectors will be able to operate in a ‘new normal’ manner.
Schools, universities and public events
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On 7 April 2020, with the approval from the cabinet, Ministry of Education announced schools in Thailand to defer the start of the first semester of academic year 2020 from 16 May to 1 July 2020. To avoid the disruption in the next academic year, the Ministry plans for the second semester to start on 1 December 2020 to 30 April 2021. Therefore, students will be able to start the 2021 academic year again as usual in mid of May 2021. However, students will not have school holiday in October 2020 and April 2021.
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Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation issued a formal letter on 17 March 2020 asking universities and higher education institutions to stop all face to face classes and start to implement virtual classes. Details of the announcement can be obtained from https://www.ops.go.th/main/index.php/news-service/announcement/1983-covi...
British Council’s operation
Face to face English classes are suspended until 1 July 2020. The current situation for IELTS is that computer-delivered tests are running as scheduled. Paper-based testing will resume soon and candidates will be notified accordingly. We have re-designed our test layouts to ensure that test takers and staff maintain a one metre separation at all times. Test takers should read the test taker special measures and be fully prepared to comply. For more information please visit https://www.britishcouncil.or.th/en/exam/covid-19-updates
The International Education Services Team is still in operation and will be able to help give advice and respond to queries from UK institutions, agents, and stakeholders.
Contact: Uraiwan Samolee, uraiwan.samolee@britishcouncil.or.th
Vietnam
Updated: 7 May
As of 7 May 2020, Vietnam has gone 21 days without new community transmission case of COVID-19. The Prime Minister of Vietnam has ordered prompt resumption of socio-economic activities after drastic measures have helped avoid COVID-19 outbreaks.
The Government will continue strict border control to prevent importation of new case as a premise for easing domestic restrictions in favour of reopening the economy. Key measures include:
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Diplomatic passport holders, foreign experts and businessmen must be subject to mandatory 14-day quarantine with flexible forms upon their arrival to Viet Nam
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The nation will continue denying foreign tourists and strictly managing Vietnamese people returning home from abroad
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Citizens are encouraged to wear face masks on public transport means and at public places, avoid direct contact with each other, and wash hands regularly.
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Non-essential service establishments should be allowed to reopen, except for dance halls and karaoke, on the condition that a safe distance of at least one meter needs to be observed.
Education
Students in almost all localities returned to schools and universities on 27 April. Education establishments are required to strictly follow instructions of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health on practicing good hygiene.
The Ministry of Education and Training has also announced an official plan for the 2020 high school examination, which is now scheduled to early August (nearly two months later than previous years). A major change to the high school examination this year is that it will be organised mainly to recognise students’ completion of high school education programme, rather than for universities to use the examination results for university admission. Universities are encouraged to have different methods to enrol students as a way to enhance their academic autonomy.
The high-school graduation examination will consist of three compulsory tests of maths, literature and foreign language and one optional test of natural or social science subject.
British Council Vietnam’s operation:
Our office has re-opened to the public since 27 April with a reduced service. Face-to-face teaching classes and examinations are still not allowed.
The International Education Services Team is still in operation and will be able to help give advice and respond to queries from UK institutions, agents, and stakeholders.
Contact: Senior Education Services Manager, Lien Ta, lien.ta@britishcouncil.org.vn
Sources:
https://vietnamnews.vn/society/715722/ha-noi-to-reopen-schools-from-may-4.html
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