Hanoi (VNA) – Cities and provinces across the country have announced plans on resumption of in-person learning after the week-long Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, which ended onFebruary 16, over fears of the COVID-19 spread.

Accordingto the Ministry of Education and Training, Da Nang city and 13 provinces, includingKien Giang, Ha Tinh, Bac Kan, Ca Mau, Da Nang, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong,Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang and Lang Son, decided to open schools on February 17, while YenBai keeps students home until February 19.

A total of 23cities and provinces plan to re-open schools early next week. They includeQuang Nam, Hau Giang, Bac Binh, Ben Tre, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, HaNam, Tra Vinh, Quang Ngai, Phu Tho, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Dak Nong, Lai Chau,Vinh Long and Quang Ninh, which will allow students to return to school onFebruary 21. Meanwhile, students in Thanh Hoa, An Giang, Lao Cai, Quang Binh,Soc Trang and Bac Lieu will come back school a day later.

Those in Hanoiand Ho Chi Minh City alongside eight other localities – Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, BaRia-Vung Tau, Phu Yen, Thai Nguyen, Binh Dinh, Dien Bien and Long An – will havetheir Tet holiday extended until February 28.

The remainder,including Son La, Thai Binh, Bac Giang, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Hai Duong, HaiPhong, Hung Yen, Kon Tum, Ninh Thuan, Vinh Phuc, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Gia Laiand Ha Giang, will continue closing schools until further notice.

TheMinistry of Education and Training has urged schools to shift to onlineteaching and learning in order to keep students and teachers safe and allowthem to catch up with this academic year’s study plans.

Minister ofEducation and Training Phung Xuan Nha stressed the need to increase awarenessof online learning among students and ensure their cyber safety./.