The epicentre of the novel coronavirus, Wuhan, from where it has spread to the rest of the world like wildfire, is all set to reopen its schools and kindergartens from September 1, local authorities said in a statement. As many as 2,842 educational institutions across the city will be reopening on Tuesday, with almost 1.4 million students returning to back to schools for their autumn semester. It is to be noted that the Wuhan University reopened on Monday. 

Officials in Wuhan said that emergency plans have been drawn up to switch back to online teaching in the event of a risk again. Students have been advised to wear masks to and from school, while also being informed to try avoiding public transportation as much as possible. 

Likewise, schools too have been given instructions to stock up on disease control equipment and carry out drills and training sessions to help prepare for any new outbreaks. They have also been ordered to reduce the number of mass gatherings and submit daily reports to health authorities. The order further stated that foreign students and teachers who have not received notice from their schools will not be permitted to return. 

Wuhan had remained in lockdown for more than two months from late January till the beginning of April in order to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. As on today, 3,869 casualties have been recorded from the city, which accounts for more than 80% of China's total. The city has been gradually returning to normalcy since April when the lockdown was lifted and has not reported any new local transmissions of the COVID-19 since May 18. So far, China has recorded 85,022 cases, with 4,634 deaths and 80,126 persons making a recovery after hospital treatment.