Over two million students in Hanoi will continue studying online starting February 17 amid ongoing coronavirus outbreak and multiple Covid-19 cases found in the capital city.

Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Chu Ngoc Anh confirmed at a meeting on February 15 afternoon.

Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Chu Ngoc Anh speaks at the meeting. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

“All schools in Hanoi will close until February 28 following the Tet break and study online to ensure the Covid-19 pandemic prevention,” said Mr. Ngoc Anh.

The Hanoi mayor also proposed the Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of Education and Training to allow students of all colleges and universities in the city to study online in February.

Earlier, Hanoi's Education and Training Department on February 14 submitted to the city's People's Committee a proposal for its students to keep studying from home.

"While students stay home, schools would cooperate with parents to manage and monitor student health for Covid-19 prevention," stated the proposal.

Thus, Hanoi will follow Ho Chi Minh City and northern Covid-19 hotspot of Hai Duong in letting their students study online after the Tet break that will end on February 16.

Amidst a new wave of Covid-19 outbreaks since earlier this month, Hanoi allowed students to take their Tet break early, starting February 1, a week earlier than scheduled, while schools managed online classes and homework.

At the time of writing, Vietnam has recorded 638 Covid-19 cases in 13 cities and provinces since late January, when a new coronavirus wave swept the nation. The biggest Covid-19 hotspot remains in Hai Duong with 461 cases, while Hanoi has confirmed 37 patients, according to the Ministry of Health.

Ahead of Tet holiday, some 22 cities and provinces shifted to online study or allowed early school break in the wake of new coronavirus outbreaks in Vietnam on January 28, after the country had gone almost two months without any domestic transmission.