A clarion call has gone out to students and parents to get ready for the coming academic year and take particular note of Covid-19 precautions.
The Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) announced earlier this month that tertiary education institutions and non-tertiary education schools’ students and teaching staff were required to return to their usual place of residence (Macao, Zhuhai or Zhongshan) 10 days before the new academic year’s first day.
They must also present a nucleic acid test (NAT) taken within 72 hours on the school opening day. The bureau underlined that teachers and students must make appointments in advance on the Covid-19 Nucleic Acid Test Booking System for Teachers and Students and that the results cannot be used for border crossings or regular testing for key working groups.
The bureau added that cross-border students and teaching staff only need to undergo a NAT in Zhuhai or Zhongshan. Moreover, tertiary education institutions’ faculty and students and non-tertiary education schools’ teaching staff must present a certificate of completion of the entire course of Covid-19 vaccinations, or proof of negative NAT result within seven days every week, to the institution or school.
The bureau also “strongly urges” those aged three to be vaccinated and for eligible students and teachers to complete the Covid-19 vaccination and a booster shot as soon as possible.
Moreover, the bureau noted that traffic is expected to be heavy during the first week of the academic year, with parents and students urged to plan their route to school ahead and leave home early. They should also pay attention to announcements issued by government entities.
The bureau added that parents of students catching a school bus should stay in touch with their school or school bus driver in advance to understand the pick-up arrangements.
Moreover, with Macao still in its typhoon and rainstorm season in September, parents and students should remain vigilant and pay attention to the weather and traffic-related news before going out.
If classes are suspended because of adverse weather, school gates and campuses will be kept open while staff are arranged to care for students who have arrived and provide appropriate educational activities for them, The Macau Post Daily reported.
