Thailand reopens schools

Mask-wearing students catching up at a high school here were quickly told to spread out as they restart lessons yesterday after months of distance learning due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Principal Arwuth Meekhanphet warned students to follow hygiene rules, including wearing face coverings and social distancing.

“You never know whether you or your friend has it,” he said.

Thailand has more than 3,100 Covid-19 cases and 58 deaths.

Ahead of yesterday’s nationwide resumption of classes, authorities recommended that class sizes be restricted to 20 to 25 students, while doorknobs, desks and other areas at risk of spreading infection be sanitised frequently in a day.

Student Parichat Klanpumisri, 17, said she was not concerned about catching the virus, but was nervous to see classmates again.

“I haven’t met anyone for a long time. The atmosphere of the classroom and Internet learning is so different.”