Coronavirus: China bans sports events, gatherings in schools

As China plans a measured opening of schools following a drop in the number of coronavirus cases, the ministry of education has suspended the resumption of major sports events and mass gatherings on campus to ensure the safety and health of students and faculty.

According to a guideline issued by the ministry, major sports events including single-sport events and comprehensive sports games have been suspended, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Monday.

The guideline also asked schools to make overall adjustments to students' physical education, sports training and exercise activities in accordance with local epidemic prevention and control requirements.

It also called for deepening the reform of physical education by making full use of the Internet.

The eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang on Monday partially reopened schools, with a total of 977,000 senior students in junior and senior high schools resuming studies in classrooms.

Students wearing masks had body temperatures taken and presented their digital codes proving their health condition before entering school.

Other provinces, including Beijing, have also planned to open schools in a gradual manner.

The novel coronavirus epidemic has abated in China in recent weeks.

With two virus-related deaths on Sunday, the COVID-19 death toll in the country stood at 3,341. Over 82,000 infections have been reported in the country.