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
Hong Kong: Government announced to tighten social distancing measures again, and reintroducing other precautions to prevent a potential fourth wave of Covid-19.
Malaysia: The Malaysian government has extended the CMCO-Conditional Movement Control Order till 6 December 2020. This will be in effect for KL, Selangor, Putrajaya and Sabah.
China
Updated 18 November
No major updates.
Contact: IES.China@britishcouncil.org.cn
Hong Kong
Updated 16 November
Public Events and Social Distancing
On Sunday 15 November, the HK government announced to tighten social distancing measures again, and reintroducing other precautions to prevent a potential fourth wave of Covid-19. Mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing and public gathering regulations limited to four people in public and to-a-table in restaurants will be effective until at least 27 November.
In addition, there will also be tighter measures on entry to Hong Kong from later this week. Everyone arriving from a high-risk country or region will have to remain at the airport until they receive their test results and people quarantining in hotels will not be allowed to receive visitors to drop off food etc. Compulsory Covid-19 tests will also be introduced for high-risk groups, details are to be advised.
Source: https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1560005-20201114.htm?spTabChangeable=0
Travel restrictions for passengers flying from the UK
Effective from 01 October, travellers (including HK citizens) will be required to supply a negative Covid-19 test result 72 hours prior to flight departure time and a confirmation letter of hotel booking for 14-day self-quarantine before they would be allowed to enter HK. The expense will be at traveller’s costs.
Local Schools
All schools fully reopened from 29 September. Previously in-person lessons had been suspended in early September due to the 3rd wave of the pandemic.
Recently, due to the surge of respiratory tract infections at pre-schools and nurseries, in-person lessons and activities will be suspected until at least 27 November.
High numbers of pupils from local schools leaving for overseas study because of the Covid-19 and social unrest
Hundreds of schools in HK have reported pupils withdrawing between February and September, according to a survey last month, with most furthering their studies overseas or in mainland China. In the survey, 11 out of 231 school respondents said more than 51 pupils had left during the period. A local school association also predicted that numbers of withdrawal could continue over the coming months.
HKDSE Exam 2021
Hong Kong government has announced a decision to postpone next year’s Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examinations by one month. The written exams are now scheduled to take place between 23 April and 17 May 2021 with candidates to receive their results on 21 July. The decision has been made due to concerns from students and teachers about grade attainment due to the suspension of face-to-face classes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Oral tests for both English and Chinese language exams will be cancelled in order to minimise the risk of person to person infection. Other new changes such as school-based assessments for nine elective subjects (e.g. Chinese and English Literature, History) will be dropped and five subjects have been streamlined. A contingency plan was also revealed by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) should the situation worsen around the time of the new exam dates. If this were to happen, the exam dates would move to early June, with results being released on 31 August.
Local Universities
Local universities started the new academic year as planned but had been mostly delivering online teaching in September. With the current situation of Covid-19 being under control, many universities will be adapting a ‘hybrid’ mode (i.e. combination of online and face-to-face teaching) for its learning and teaching activities and plan to include more face-to-face activities should the circumstance allow. Meanwhile, non-local students who are unable to be physically present due to travel restrictions can continue studying digitally for the rest of the semester. More information on individual university’s special arrangements under Covid-19 will be available upon request.
British Council Operations
In line with the HK government’s new social-distancing rules, The British Council will be closed to the general public. For the most up-to-date information on our services, please visit our website: www.britishcouncil.hk/en/covid-19 . We are of course happy to hold meetings with the UK Education sector by means of online calls.
Travel restrictions in summary
Non-Hong Kong residents will be denied entry into HK
HK residents and valid HK visa holders must be self-isolated for 14 days after returning home
Transit flight services at Hong Kong International Airport resumed from 01 June
Sources:
Hong Kong education chief unconcerned by number of pupils leaving city schools and heading overseas
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202010/20/P2020102000807.htm
HKDSE 2021: Written tests to be postponed to 23 April and oral tests to be cancelled,
Centre for Health Protection (CHP), HKSAR
Macau
Updated 19 November
No major updates.
Contact: Anna Lee anna.lee@britishcouncil.org.hk or Karen Hsu karen.hsu@britishcouncil.org.hk
Indonesia
Updated 16 November
The Jakarta administration has extended the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) till 22 November as a measure to contain the spread of Covid-19. The Governor of Jakarta announced that a full-scale lockdown may be imposed if the infections do not reduce.
Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/11/08/transitional-psbb-in-jakarta-extended-to-nov-22.html
The Governor of West Java also announced extension of the social restrictions across Greater Bogor, Depok and Greater Bekasi till 25 November as one of the measures being undertaken to control the spread of the pandemic.
Education
LPDP in Indonesia announced two scholarship categories. Further announcements for remaining categories of LPDP are awaited. The announced scholarships included the PTUD scholarships intended for master’s and doctoral degrees at top ranking institutions. There are 15 international universities included in this list by LPDP, with two from the UK.
Source: https://www.lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id/api/Medias/f5c3d319-769c-47e6-b572-5185bc8406d5
The government plans to roll out a new education scheme that will simplify the curriculum and address existing hindrances to remote learning, which has been in place because of the COVID-19 crisis. The Education and Culture Minister has said that the streamlined scheme could entail the reallocation of school operational aid (BOS) to internet packages for students and teachers.
Sources:
State and private universities continue with classes either online or in person based on government directives.
Source:
Travel requirements
The Visa Application Centre in Jakarta is open from 16 September (in addition to the VACs at Bali and Surabaya). The VACs in Jakarta, Bali and Surabaya will operate under strict physical distancing measures and guidelines as per local authorities.
Source: https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/id/en/news/information-about-the-uk-vac-in-indonesia
The national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia plans to open direct flights to Denpasar, Bali, from the United States, France and India as part of initiatives to boost the country’s tourism that has been battered by the pandemic.
State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) II plans to increase the number of available flight slots and normalize its operational hours in July, as it seeks to spur the recovery of the aviation industry that has been severely impacted by the ongoing health crisis.
There has been a significant increase in the number of passengers for domestic and international flights, after the government relaxed restrictions on air travel. A recently issued Transportation Ministry circular allowed an increase in the number of passengers to 70 percent of the aircraft capacity, up from the previous 50 percent.
Public events
Large scale public gatherings are not allowed.
British Council Activity
British Council staff continue to work from home.
Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my
Japan
Updated 19 November
Latest news
Across the country the cumulative totals now to 120815 and the death toll as 1,913. We can see that the third wave may be striking this country as it sets a daily record with more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases including a new high of 493 in Tokyo.
As of October 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has additionally issued an infectious disease information level of Level 3 (travel advisory) to 2 countries and degraded 9 countries including Australia and New Zealand. UK remains in Level 3 categorised countries together with USA and Canada.
Considering this situation, the Ministry of Education (MEXT) keeps their message towards Japanese students who have been planning to study abroad to reconsider their trip and not to go to countries and regions that have a level 3 infectious disease risk information, as well as to study in countries and regions that have a level 2 infectious disease risk information rating.
Public Events
Economic Revitalization Minister Nishimura announced on September 11th that Japan is preparing to relax restriction on attendance number of events.
From September 19th until end of November, the capacity ratio requirement will be relaxed to 100% for events with low risk of infection (such as classical music concerts, etc.). Other events (rock concerts, sporting events, etc.) should be limited to 50% or less including professional sport games. The maximum number of persons can exceed 5,000 but should not exceed 50% of the total number of persons permitted.
Stricter restrictions can be imposed by the prefectural governor, depending on the status of infection in the region. In addition, organizers of large-scale events (over 1,000 participants) should consult with each prefectural government in advance, and each prefectural government should make an appropriate decision on how to hold individual events, depending on the infection situation and the nature of the event.
This will be reviewed again in December, based on the status of the infection and the implementation of the event.
Schools and Universities
The Ministry of Education (MEXT) announced on 21st July that all the students who were planning to go study abroad should align to the safety information of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and recommended to refrain from going out of the country. Most of the countries including UK, USA, Canada and even NZ are listed in Level 3, among the highest-ranking countries. The Japanese Universities are making their decision aligned to this Government’s announcement and all the official exchange programs are being pended. The official scholarships are also being pended and students who were to receive the government funded scholarships are kept waiting.
The above announcement was revised on 26th August and their message has been tightened. The students had been recommended strongly not to go study abroad at this moment.
On the other hand, the government has decided to ease restrictions on international students entering Japan by the end of the month. They are considering starting from accepting government-sponsored students, for whom the Japanese government provides tuition and other expenses, and then expanding it to include privately funded students depending on the situation.
British Council Activities
We organised a webinar for Japanese Universities to introduce Study UK Connect and the latest information about Studying in UK on 6th November followed by 2 week networking period via Study UK Conncet. Considering the government announcement, all the universities are postponing the exchange programs and it is very difficult for the students to realize their plan to study abroad so we are now trying to find out the appetite of Japanese Universities towards tasting lectures by UK universities as an opportunity for their students to do online study abroad experience.
Contact
Tomoko Kawakita, Head of Education, British Council Japan - tomoko.kawakita@britishcouncil.or.jp
Malaysia
Updated 16 November
Government Response
The Malaysian government has extended the CMCO-Conditional Movement Control Order till 6 December 2020. This will be in effect for KL, Selangor, Putrajaya and Sabah. The Covid-19 situation in Malaysia till recently was quite well contained, but the country is experiencing an increase in cases at a fast pace. The CMCO-Conditional Movement Control Order has been extended in response to the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases. During the CMCO inter-district and inter-state travel is banned.
The government had earlier announced that visitors from countries with more than 150,000 Covid-19 cases will not be allowed to enter Malaysia – the list of countries announced includes UK.
Public Events
The restricted movement order remains in place for large-scale events. Health authorities in Malaysia have advised against organising major public events. There are strict measures and SOPs for visiting public places and include mandatory wearing of masks, temperature checks and contact tracing along with other measures.
Education
The Minister for Education has announced that the SPM and STPM examinations have been postponed. The SPM was initially scheduled to start on 6 January, the examination will now take place on 22 February 2021.The STPM examination will now start on 8 March 2021. The timetables and schedules for the SPM, SVM, STAM and UPBA have been released online.
Education institutions in the CMCO impacted states remain closed and learning is to continue online. Schools will now remain closed till the end of the school year which is 17 December 2020.
Travel Restrictions
The government had earlier stared that visitors from countries with more than 150,000 Covid-19 cases will not be allowed to enter Malaysia – the list of countries announced includes UK.
Returning Malaysians and non-citizens permitted to enter the country will undergo mandatory two-week quarantine at specified quarantine centres. The government has decided to revoke the allowance for those entering the country to self-quarantine at home.
Sources:
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/535396
British Council Activities
British Council staff are working from home during the Conditional Movement Control Order.
Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my
Singapore
Updated 16 November
Singapore has adopted a three-phased approach since emerging from the nation-wide circuit-breaker in June. Phase One featured resumption of selected services and the staggered re-opening of schools. Singapore is currently in Phase Two with all students attending daily face-to-face lessons. Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) have commenced the new academic year. Most businesses have resumed, although working from home is strongly encouraged wherever possible. All safe management practices remain in place.
Phase Three measures are expected to be announced soon, provided certain conditions at met - including at least 70% participation rate in the TraceTogether programme, up from the current rate of less than 50%.
Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/phase-3-will-go-ahead-only-if-three-conditions-are-met
Travel advisory
The Ministry of Health has assessed that there are several countries/regions where the virus situation is well under control and the risk of importation is low. Border measures have been updated accordingly with provisions for Air Travel Passes, Reciprocal Green Lanes and Periodic Commuting Arrangements.
Singapore has opened its borders to travellers from Australia, Brunei, Mainland China, New Zealand and Vietnam. Quarantine requirements remain in place for visitors from all other countries.
Sources:
https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/files/SHN-and-swab-summary.pdf
Travel for studies
The advisory for students has been updated to allow travel for studies for students pursuing academic qualification overseas, and where distance-learning is not offered as an option by the education institution. Overseas studies should be of at least one academic year, for courses which require physical presence in the foreign educational institution, and which will lead to attainment of academic qualifications. Existing students who are completing such academic programs (i.e. balance duration of less than an academic year) are included. Students below the age of 18 may be accompanied by an adult. Mature students may travel overseas with their dependents who will be residing with them for the duration of their studies.
Source: https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/updates-on-border-and-community-measures
From 19 September onwards, people arriving from Singapore to UK are exempted from the need to quarantine for two weeks.
Educational institutions
The six autonomous universities have commenced the 2020 academic year, with strict safe management measures in place:
Each person entering or leaving the campus is required to check in and out using SafeEntry, the national digital check-in system.
Temperature and symptom screening is carried out at all entrances.
The start and end timings for lessons are staggered.
In order to reduce inter-mingling between students on campus, students are required to remain in their practical or lab groups.
Staff and students are required to wear masks at all times.
Students are on campus primarily for practical and lab sessions, with a maximum of 50 persons per class.
All large-scale classes and lectures are held online.
Some faculties have opted for hybrid delivery models, with half the class attending in-person lessons while the other half concurrently goes online.
Source:
https://www.moe.gov.sg/faqs-covid-19-infection
The National University of Singapore (NUS) has implemented extensive safe management guidelines, with the campus divided into five zones. Students have been assigned an Activity Zone (based on their Faculty/School) and a Residential Zone (if they stay on-campus), and are not allowed to cross zones. Staff are also required to follow these zoning restrictions. Academic staff are permitted to use face shields instead of face masks when delivering lectures.
Source: https://emergency.nus.edu.sg/advisory_specificgroups.html
The National University of Singapore (NUS) has announced plans to form a new college by merging two of its faculties: Arts and Social Sciences, and Science. The new interdisciplinary college, to be called the College of Humanities and Sciences, aims to equip students with market-relevant skills to thrive in the future economy. This move towards more interdisciplinary learning comes along with the Education Ministry's push in recent years for graduates to have core skills and knowledge, while remaining versatile and adaptable to future conditions. If current plans are approved, the new college could begin accepting students as soon as the next academic year which begins in August 2021.
This announcement complements earlier reports of interdisciplinary study options being made available to students in other Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) including the polytechnics. The move aims to stretch students’ versatility and boost graduate employability.
The Ministry of Health in Singapore provides a regularly updated status report on the daily Covid-19 situation at https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19
Contact: Saman Imtiaz, saman.imtiaz@britishcouncil.org.my
South Korea
Updated on 12 November
The Korean Prime Minister has announced a move to social distancing level 1 following a gradual reduction in daily COVID cases. All schools and kindergartens in the capital area have reopened from 21 September, keeping the attendance cap to 1/3.[1] More universities have gradually switched to a blended approach with more face-to-face classes since October.[2]
Sources:
KCDC (Korean government’s official website for Covid-19)
[1] New virus cases under 100 for 5th day, virus fight still in peril over cluster infections, Yonhap News, 20 October 2020
[2] 대학가 대면수업 확대…학생들 "시기상조", Hankyung, 18 October 2020
Contact: Heather Eom sunhyun.eom@britishcouncil.org
Taiwan
Updated 17 November
Taiwan’s cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus upon 17 November leaving the total number of cases at 603 since the pandemic began at the end of December 2019, according to the Central Epidemic Command Centre (CECC) (source).
To keep social distancing of 1.5M and to wear the masks when entering to restaurant and public transportations are requested by the CDC. 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
Taiwan announces eight public venues where mask-wearing is compulsory
Most public large events like exhibition or show are currently open but various events and activities are requested to wearing the masks, and some will still maintain temperature measures and alcohol spraying when entering the venue.
Schools and Universities
The Central Epidemic Command Center announced since March that students and teachers at senior and junior high schools as well as elementary schools around Taiwan. Ministry of Education announced international students travel opens to the low risk countries.
The Ministry of Education Allows the Return of Graduating Students from Outside 19 Countries/Regions to the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Study from July 22
For information on the MoE of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Taiwan, please visit the News Updates on Ministry of Education Taiwan website at https://english.moe.gov.tw/lp-117-1.html
Travel Restrictions in summary
Taiwan to allow foreign nationals to apply for non-tourist entry
All eligible passengers entering Taiwan must undergo 14 days of home quarantine
Beginning on June 29, Taiwan allows foreign nationals who wish to travel to Taiwan for reasons other than tourism to apply for a special entry permit with a Taiwan representative office overseas. British citizens in the UK may contact the Taipei Representative Office in London (TRO in London)
All foreign nationals except for those who hold Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs), documents proving they are in Taiwan for diplomatic or official purposes or to fulfil business contracts, or special entry permits are prohibited from entering Taiwan.
Upon entry, Taiwan requires all foreign nationals to present an English-language certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three working days of boarding the flight to Taiwan and undergo a 14-day home quarantine period. The following visitors may be exempted from negative COVID-19 test: personnel on diplomatic or official business, migrant workers, students, those coming to Taiwan for emergency situations, and crew members on vessels arriving in Taiwan. More information can be found here.
Passengers are allowed to transit through the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport with the following restrictions: 1) flights from and to China are excluded; 2) transit passengers must fly with China Airlines, EVA Air, or Cathay Pacific and must fly with the same carrier in and out of Taiwan; 3) transit passengers must leave Taiwan within eight hours. More information can be found here.
Any traveller arriving from outside Taiwan and granted entry are subject to a 14-day home quarantine. They will be required to complete a health declaration form and accurately provide their travel and contact history.
Short-term business travellers may apply for a shortened period of home quarantine. More information can be found here.
For the latest updates on Taiwan’s entry requirements, please monitor the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control website and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
Taiwan announces basics of new virus prevention measures
Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Commands Center (CECC) said on Monday (16 November) that the new autumn and winter measures for the prevention of COVID-19 spread will focus on three areas, with more details to be announced on Wednesday. The three areas include requiring travellers to provide a certificate of negative COVID-19 test results three days prior to entering Taiwan, a compulsory mask mandate for some places, and rewarding hospitals for conducting COVID-19 tests on their patients.
Sources:
https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-220-5691-aa1c3-2.html
https://www.roc-taiwan.org/uk/index.html
https://english.moe.gov.tw/lp-117-1.html
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4034659
Thailand
Updated 18 November
Thailand has extended an emergency decree imposed from 26 March to the end of November.
The country starts to welcome more foreign nationals including business visitors who don’t have a work permit with businesses in Thailand, holders of an APEC Business Travel Card from low-risk countries, and long-stay tourists. Everyone who arrives in Thailand must be in state quarantine for 14 days.
Schools, universities and public events
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. On 8 May, the Ministry announced that it plans for the first semester to be run on 1 July – 13 November 2020, and the second semester on 1 December 2020 – 9 April 2021. This will result in 17-day and 37-day school breaks, respectively.
1 July is the first date schools and universities are reopened. The situation is being closely monitored by the government to prevent the second wave of the outbreak.
According to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation's recent announcement on 12 August, universities are allowed to open for face-to-face teaching. However, some universities might offer online or blended learning. Activities that have many people gathering together, e.g. orientation, should still be avoided.
Key information including the term dates of key universities are on the IES site https://education-services.britishcouncil.org/news/market-news/east-asia-covid-19-update-%E2%80%93-26-june-2020
British Council’s operation
Face to face English classes have been resumed since 1 July 2020. The current situation for IELTS is that paper-based and computer-delivered tests are running as scheduled. We have re-designed our test layouts to ensure that test takers and staff maintain a one metre separation at all times. 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: 12 November
Vietnam has gone 71 days without domestic transmission of the novel coronavirus. It has so far recorded 1,252 Covid-19 infections.
Travel restrictions:
Since the total border closures imposed in late March to prevent the spread of the virus, Việt Nam has gradually taken steps to reopen to some selected groups of arrivals – including diplomats, business executives and investors, highly skilled workers, overseas students, or returning Vietnamese.
It had in mind the resumption of regular commercial flights starting September with a number of Asian countries and territories – those deemed important partners that also have a good handle on the coronavirus – but the plan is currently on hold pending complete medical procedures to avoid the virus entering the community.
British Council’s operation: our activities are open to normal.
Sources:
1. Foreign arrivals required to register accommodation upon booking flights to Vietnam, 17 Sep
2. Health ministry updates protocols for priority COVID-19 testing, 28 Sep
3. Foreigners to pay $63 minimum for Covid-19 tests, 22 Sep
4. A look at how foreign arrivals are quarantined in a Vietnam hotel, 7 Oct
5. With COVID-19 vaccine prospects uncertain, VN committed to prevention measures and safe living, 7 Nov
Contact: Education Services Manager, Hien Le hien.le@britishcouncil.org.vn