Primary and secondary schools in Taizhou have started preparing to reopen as the epidemic subsides in the city.

The specific date of reopening has not yet been decided.

All patients diagnosed with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) had recovered and been discharged from hospitals in the city as of March 11. The city had reported 146 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb 15, but has since seen no new cases.

A red tent was set up at the gate of the Jiaojiang No 2 Middle School on March 17 to house an infrared thermal imaging thermometer.

Xu Xiaohua, the school's principal, said that the thermometer will be used to measure the temperatures of teachers and students.

Local education authorities have required schools with more than 500 people to use the thermometer, according to an official at the Taizhou municipal bureau of education.

Infrared thermal imaging thermometers are more accurate and effective than conventional forehead monitors, said Su Mingmin, principal of the Hongjia Middle School.

The school will open several entrance channels at the school's front gate and ask students to enter at different times according to their grades. It also compiled a manual for students to follow while resuming school amid the epidemic.

Meanwhile, schools across Taizhou will be disinfected before reopening. 

"At present, we have a sufficient stock of disinfectant," said Su.

Xueyuanlu Primary School has opened an online class to teach students how to lower their chances of infection.

Su said that reopening will be a major challenge for schools, and that they will arrange a drill before the real reopening. "May the sound of books return to our campus soon," she exclaimed.